The love for cueing up a turntable and putting on your favorite vinyl has come back in full force for many music enthusiasts looking to appreciate all recorded genres in their oldest forms. Whether you choose to buy records for their authentic sound quality or vintage appearance, The VanCougar presents a list of the best record stores for both beginners and experienced shoppers that reside in Portland and Vancouver
Little Axe Records is a hidden gem among Portland record shops. Both an establishment and record label, Little Axe reissues vinyl pressings of international music. Thus, visitors are sure to find records sourced from many different parts of the world; something not too many other shops can offer.
Most notably, they also provide an African record subscription, spanning from a one-time record purchase to a recurring shipment throughout the year. According to their website, the store has many 1970s and 1980s African records available with genres ranging from highlife, fuji, juju, soukous and more.
You never know what you may find when walking into Little Axe. From your favorite Grateful Dead album to obscure 1960s movie soundtracks, this store is filled to the brim with a truly unique selection of fairly priced records and cassette tapes. Little Axe Records can be found in Portland by the Hollywood Theatre at 4142 NE Sandy Blvd., and is open every day from 12 to 7 p.m.
(Emily Baumann/ The VanCougar).
Holding a well-known reputation in Portland, Music Millennium has one of the largest vinyl selections the city has to offer. Compared to other shops, it carries a wide variety of music in multiple forms.
The shop also hosts occasional artist performances, which can be found via a schedule on their website or their Instagram account, @musicmillennium. Next time you take a trip into Portland, you can visit the store on the corner of 3158 E. Burnside and 32nd Street Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Vancouver is packed with music-based establishments, but is considerably lacking in the record store scene when compared to the Portland area. However, 1709 Records, a quaint shop located downtown, contains classic rock albums, alongside new releases and rare finds.
In addition to being one of Vancouver’s best small businesses, the owners will often post on their social media, @1709records, any additions that make their way into the store’s collection. Being the location that sits closest to campus, 1709 Records is located at 1709 Broadway Street. The store is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m., and closed Monday and Tuesday.
Whether you are new to collecting records or an experienced audiophile, we highly encourage readers to explore these record stores, where you might find something truly special.
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.