Vinyl sales have recently spiked over the last few years due to the younger generations bringing back record players, causing an increase in demand for vinyl stores and vintage looks. This resurgence of vinyl lovers is great for anyone who likes art, music or anything vintage. There have now been a slew of stores and events happening in town that cater to the vinyl crowd because of demand. If you’re new in Tallahassee and looking for a place to browse the stacks, here’s three of my favorite spots for vinyl around town.
Retrofit Records is an independent Black-owned business that has been open since 2011. As Tallahassee’s oldest record store, they are fully stocked with both new releases on vinyl and a vast vintage collection, including first editions and specialty prints.
Conveniently located on Gaines St., it’s close to campus and restaurants giving you lots of places to explore. My favorite thing about this store is the 7-inch section. It’s typically under $10 and full of singles you didn’t even know you needed. It has become my guilty pleasure whenever wandering around the All Saints area.
Retrofit is the only store on this list that is registered for Record Store Day (RSD) where discounts and special one-day releases are put out at participating stores. Beyond RSD, they’ve also started hosting listening parties and record showings with free swag, always on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you see your favorite band holding a release party, stock up on water and get ready to wait because Retrofit has you set.
Really Cool Time (RCT) Records is relatively new, opened by Tallahassee locals Matt Sampson and Paul Chapman in the summer of 2021, this place is without a doubt my favorite spot for vinyl in town. Located by Lake Ella, about a five to 10-minute drive from campus (or a quick bus ride for non-car users), this store is full to the brim with vintage records.
As of late, they’ve started buying up collections from all across the state, just to give you the best selection to pick from. Their social media presence is ramping up and they’ve started posting videos of all their new drops so you know what to look for before you even get into the store. They’ve also started hosting local bands and events out of the back of their store, true to the Tallahassee grunge scene.
These guys also sell vintage books, clothes, CDs, movies, basically anything they think looks cool. This leads to some really pleasant interactions, because these guys love to talk with their customers. I once asked Paul about other bands similar to one I liked and he proceeded to walk me around the store listing off his recommendations, one of which has become a personal favorite of mine.
Rearview Vintage and Vinyl opened its first physical location across from the Whole Foods on Thomasville Rd. on June 22 of this year, opened by Tallahassee local Carter Jacobs. It boasts an insane selection including loads of new and vintage records, as well as vintage clothing and decor. Since they’re so new, you also are going to see some good deals until everyone else finds this hidden gem. The service is always pleasant and the record selection is sure to grow in the near future.
When I spoke to Jacobs, he said, “As a fellow FSU student, I look forward to sharing my passion for music and my love of vintage with those who are new to Tallahassee. Find your next favorite record, vintage tee, and more at Rearview Vintage & Vinyl.”
Tallahassee has a wide selection of stores for music lovers to visit and explore. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the scene, a casual collector or a diehard vinyl fan, these stores are just a small sample of what the vinyl community in Tallahassee has to offer.