With summer and vacations in full swing, a road trip and stop at a vinyl records store could be worth the trip.
Vinyl records are making a comeback, so much so that record collectors are digging through crates in search of the holy grail (a highly desired and/or rare record), as well as hits and good music that simply soothes the soul.
Luckily for Tallahasseeans, there are plenty of options in record stores that range in size and collection if you’re willing to make the drive. Some are a day trip, others significantly longer. Here are a few:
Day trips
Apollo Records in the USA
Location: 119 E Jackson St. in Thomasville, Ga. (Less than a hour away)
More on the store: One of the country’s only vinyl-only stores, according to its social media.
Bearded Vinyl
Location: 114 S 5th St. in Macclenny (2 hours from Tallahassee)
More on the store: Opened its first location two years ago in Baker County and has since moved into a space four times the size of the original, according to its Facebook page. Store sells used and new vinyl records.
Tiger Records
Location: 875 Stockton St. in Jacksonville (2 hours, 20 minutes from Tallahassee)
More on the store: An independent record store and record label in the historic Riverside District; specializes in new and used inventory of genres including punk, hardcore, hip hop, classic rock, soul, indie, jazz, pop and metal. Also carries 45’s, LP’s, rare and collectable albums, along with new and vintage shirts, turntables & equipment.
Fort Walton Vintage Records
Location: 16 Racetrack Road NW in Fort Walton Beach (2½ hours away)
More on the store: A full-service record store with more than 20,000 vintage vinyl records and new releases on vinyl. Its website said, “In addition to vinyl records, we also carry new turntables, receivers & speakers, 45’s, CD’s, cassettes, record cleaning kits & supplies, posters, pins and we are an authorized dealer for Ortofon and Grado phono cartridges.”
Vinyl Ventures Record Collective
Location: 1228 Commons Ct. in Clermont (3½ hours from Tallahassee)
More on the store: Specializes in new and used records across various genres: jazz, soul, funk, hip hop, house, rock and much more. The store also provides repairs and sells turntables and audio accessories.
Longer road trips
Foundation College Park
Location: 2114 Edgewater Drive in Orlando (Four hours from Tallahassee)
More on the store: Store first opened in 2016 and sells vintage band shirts, clothes, vinyl records and more.
Comeback Vinyl
Location: 1 S Main St., Alpharetta, Ga. (About five and half hours away)
More on the store: Store has shipped more than 100,000 records, according to its website. Features a wide variety of new artists, including Taylor Swift, Sza and Tyler the Creator and vintage finds.
Rat Room Records
Location: 2323 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, Ga.
More on the store: Located inside Big House Guitars at the corner of Lavista and Cheshire Bridge. Store specializes in vinyl, supplies, turntables, stereo equipment, repairs and speakers.
Wuxtry Records-Athens
Location: 197 E Clayton St, Athens, Ga. (Roughly five hours from Tallahassee)
More on the store: Opened more than 50 years ago and serves Atlanta, Athens and Northeast Georgia region. Inventory includes a wide selection of music in all genres on LP & CDs. The store describes itself as a “user-friendly retail outlet and walk-in museum of the greatest music and bands of the last century.”
Triangle Vinyl
Location: 792 W. Montrose St. in Clermont (Less than four hours from Tallahassee)
More about the store: Independent record store blends music, coffee, and craft drinks under one roof while customers sift through vintage and new vinyl sipping specialty brews. “This one-of-a-kind spot blends retro vibes with modern taste — perfect for crate-diggers, caffeine lovers, and cocktail seekers alike. A true community hub for music and culture in Clermont,” the store’s website said.
Seasick Records
Location: 3131 5th Ave. South in Birmingham, Ala. (Five hours from Tallahassee)
More on the store: An independent record store that opened in 2013 and features a section devoted to Alabama artists.
Connect Record Shop
Location: 710 NW 5th AVE Ste, 1021, Fort Lauderdale (Less than seven hours away)
More on the store: Relatively new record store in downtown Fort Lauderdale. A May article in the Miami New Times said the store’s sections are “dedicated to vaporwave, yacht tock, and Japanese city pop are nestled alongside indie rock and a varied selection of dance music genres. Opened with the intention of providing a community hub for Broward music fans, the shop often hosts DJ sets, sound healing, and other events.”
Shellshock Records
Location: 603 NE 13th Street (in the back unit) in Fort Lauderdale (Less than seven hours away)
More on the store: Named after New Order’s 1986 synth-driven single “Shellshock” – famously featured on the “Pretty in Pink” soundtrack, according to Miami New Times. The store’s inventory is mostly comprised of rock, including classic rock, contemporary rock, and pop.
Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Take a road trip to these top vinyl record stores
Reporting by TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
