Best Record Stores In Minnesota

Step into your neighborhood record shop, browse through genuine music albums, and talk music with enthused and attentive owners and fellow customers. Record Store Day is Saturday April 18, 2015 and plenty is happening. For example, Jack White paid $300,000 for Elvis Presley's first ever recording, "My Happiness," just to release it on RSD 2015. This was a tape Elvis paid to make at Sun Studios when he was 18 years old in 1953. Five of the several cool Minnesota record stores that will host in-store signings, gigs, happenings and special product releases this year.

Barely Bros Records
783 Raymond Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55114
(651) 340-5128
www.barelybrothersrecords.com

BBR has been around for only a year but the owners, Spencer and Mike, are attracting a lot of attention with live bands once a month and DJs every Friday. "We went out and got the stuff to help bands make music," says Spencer Brooks. The shop features a permanent stage with a piano, drums, amps, soundboards and monitors needed to move bands in and out with minimal setup time. Look for a stage filled with excitement this Record Store Day and cool displays of limited edition recordings and other special products.

"The thrill of Record Store Day is you never know who is getting what," says Tony, the Lake Street Store Records Manager. "We are ordering tons of product, but you never know what you are going to get and it all ships less than a week before." Don't expect live bands at Cheapo for RSD, but do check them out for the specials.

Related: Best Places For Vinyl In Minnesota

Hymie's Vintage Records
3820 E. Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 729-8890
www.hymiesrecords.com

Hymie's will close the 39^th Avenue block for Record Store Day. See 15 acts perform throughout the day on a big stage, along with local artists and neighboring businesses all participating in this big event. Hymie's humble beginnings have grown into a successful endeavor recognized by City Pages, Rolling Stone and other media outlets. Owners Laura and Dave Hoenack strive to continue the founder's mantra of "having a good store that people like coming to."

Related: Pick-a-Side, Which is the Twin Cities' Best Record Store?

Mill City Sound
812 Main St.
Hopkins, MN 55343
(952) 456-6547
www.millcitysound.com

"Its not fair to big bands to show them in a record store," explains Owner Rob Sheehey. "We are fortunate to share a common wall with Main Street Bar & Grill and will have bands playing there throughout Record Store Day. Customers will have comfortable seating and can buy refreshments while watching premium entertainment." A long list of local artists will be present to sign limited edition releases. MCS opened in September 2014 featuring new and used records, CDs and a great selection of stereo electronics.

The Electric Fetus
12 E. Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-9970
www.electricfetus.com

"Its like Christmas, opening those boxes to see what you get," says General Manager Carrie Brown about the special premiums and promotions for this annual event. The store will certainly have these items plus live music from local bands, special RSD Electric Fetus poster and t-shirt like its sister store on Fourth St. South in Minneapolis. The Superior St. store is community-supported with free snacks and tastings from other popular businesses like Pizza Luce, Duluth Coffee Company and Bent Paddle Brewing Company.

Related: Best Record Stores In Minneapolis

Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.