Your Guide to Memphis Record Stores: Crate Digging in the Bluff City

Memphis is a musicians’ city—the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, soul, and a cornerstone of the blues. While music is now instantly accessible, the soulful act of owning physical media is thriving. Record stores in Memphis are crucial hubs, connecting musicians to their fans and providing a physical space where music fans can gather, exchange opinions, browse, and purchase.

If you’re wondering, “Where to buy records in Memphis?” look no further. Whether you’re hunting for a rare Stax vinyl, the latest garage punk 7-inch, or simply want to know what record company is based in Memphis, these shops are the best places to build your collection and tap into the city’s living music legacy.

The Best Memphis Record Stores for New & Used Vinyl

This list covers everything from historic institutions to specialty shops stocking the newest local releases.

Shangri-La Records

Address: 1916 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 (Midtown)
Phone: (901) 274-1916
Hours: Mon–Sat: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sun: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Website: https://shangri.com/ 

Vibe & Inventory: This record lover’s wonderland, housed in a cute Midtown house, has reigned as one of the country’s best record store Memphis staples for over three decades. Shangri-La is the essential spot for crate digging—the kind of place where you can get lost in the stacks for hours. They offer a vast selection of new and used vinyl, tapes, and CDs.

Local Focus: This is an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to begin building their Memphis music collection. They specialize in all things local (both old and new), soul, and R&B, featuring releases from historic local labels like Stax, Sun, and Hi Records.

Non-Vinyl: Excellent selection of CDs and music apparel. They also host the popular Shangri-La podcast featuring local artists.

Goner Records

Address: 2152 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 (Midtown)
Phone: (901) 722-0095
Hours: Mon–Sat: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Sun: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Website: https://goner-records.com/ 

Vibe & Inventory: Goner has been a prominent Memphis record store landmark since 1994. It’s a tried-and-true example of an excellent local shop with an international reputation. Goner specializes in buying and selling new and used vinyl, with a distinct affinity for Memphis’ unique blend of punk and garage music.

Local Focus: Goner is a significant record company based in Memphis, hosting the successful yearly live music festival, Goner Fest. Go here to buy bands with deep ties to the label like King Kahn & BBQ Show and Jay Reatard, or browse their website for the latest staff picks.

Non-Vinyl: Carries music-related apparel and merchandise.

River City Records

Address: 101 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 (Downtown)
Hours: Tue–Sat: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Closed Sun/Mon
Website: https://rivercityrecordshop.com/ 

Vibe & Inventory: A newer but essential addition to the Downtown music landscape, River City Records helps fill the record store Memphis gap west of Midtown. Despite opening in 2021, the store maintains a wide selection of accessible new releases and well-curated used stock for locals and tourists alike.

Local Focus: A growing selection of new local releases sits near the front of the store, and Elvis records have a special designation. You can reliably find new releases of every genre here.

Non-Vinyl: A great place to find cool, local T-shirts and music-related gear.

Home of the Blues Record Shop (Formerly Memphis Music)

Address: 203 Beale St, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38103 (Downtown)
Phone: (901) 526-0117
Hours: Daily: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Hours may vary)
Website: https://bealestreet.com/ 

Vibe & Inventory: Located directly on Beale Street, the newly renamed Home of the Blues Record Shop lives up to its historic location by claiming to be the largest blues specialty store in the world. They carry both the latest and greatest in blues, classic rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, and soul.

Niche: While they carry a selection of albums on vinyl, their selection of new CDs and classic regional albums is among the best in the city. This is the place for deep-dive blues scholarship.

Non-Vinyl: Unmatched CD selection, books, and merchandise related to the blues and soul legends who made Memphis famous.

A. Schwab

Address: 163 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103 (Downtown)
Phone: (901) 523-9782
Hours: Sun–Wed: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thur–Sat: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Website: https://www.a-schwab.com/ 

Vibe & Inventory: Opened since 1876, A. Schwab is a true Memphis icon and a relic of a bygone era. While best known for a dizzying collection of knick-knacks and sundries, they also maintain an impressive music collection on the second floor.

Niche: Look for rare and must-have regional music on both CD and vinyl. From Big Star to Junior Kimbrough, Schwab’s has all of your local favorites in a setting that feels like a treasure hunt.

History: Given its legacy and location, it’s a soulful thought that many of Memphis’ legendary performers may have once shopped in this very store.

Other Music Hubs: Antique Malls & Listening Rooms

The Memphis music scene extends beyond dedicated shops. Keep your eyes peeled at these spots for hidden vinyl gems:

• Midtown Crossing Grill: Known less for selling records and more for having a vibrant atmosphere where local musicians and music fans gather. This is a classic local “listening room” where the spirit of Memphis music lives on through performances and community.
  
• Flashback Antique + Vinyl: Located in South Main, this is a prime spot for finding smaller collections of used vinyl mixed in with vintage Memphis memorabilia. A true treasure-hunt experience for collectors.

Memphis Music History: Satellite Records & Local Labels

Memphis is a powerhouse of independent labels, past and present, creating global movements from local street corners. Today, Goner Records remains a highly influential record company based in Memphis, championing garage and punk rock globally with deep ties to the local scene.

Historically, however, Memphis was the epicenter. Its significance began at Sun Records (founded by Sam Phillips in 1952), which famously launched Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, fundamentally inventing rock ‘n’ roll.

Following this tradition, Memphis proved crucial for the creation of Satellite Records in 1957. Founded by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, Satellite Records would eventually become the iconic Stax Records, which played an unparalleled role in shaping soul music worldwide. From Stax came legends like Otis Redding (“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”) and Sam & Dave (“Soul Man”).

Memphis was significant because it was a cultural melting pot—a place where Black and white musicians and fans came together at studios like Stax and Sun to create a uniquely American sound. This environment provided the perfect foundation for labels like Satellite/Stax to launch a sound that truly captured the soul of the city.