Record Store Day, which once upon a time took place during the third weekend of April, has had a tumultuous last couple years. COVID-19 forced the annual day of record store celebration to split into three different days that mostly stayed virtual or with curbside pickup. The pleasure of digging through record stacks was few and far between and the "Store" part of the day was lacking (but with good reason!) This year the special day for wax lovers has retracted to two days, missed its traditional April spot, and is taking place on June 12 and July 17!
The fun event has always had some criticism, specifically its focus on costly vinyl, records that don't necessarily need to be repressed, flippers picking up all the rarest goodies to resell at even more ridiculous prices, record store not making as much as they once did because of all the corporate overlords digging their nails into the backs of small business, etc. And now with the ever looming pandemic, safety has become an issue. Thankfully stores are adhering to their neighborhoods' COVID-guidelines and making sure that everything is as safe as can be.
While a lot of the community aspects of the event are not happening again (live music in store being a huge loss) the spirit of the event is still evident. RSD is meant to bring music lovers together and support these shops by packing a sizable list of exclusive releases to help celebrate the music community. Usually RSD is the biggest sales day of the year for these shops (usually...) and with all the COVID closures, they sure as hell need the boost now.
If you don't feel comfortable going out, don't fret! There are plenty of stores offering unique ways to shop like curbside purchasing, online ordering, and more. You can still enjoy the event even if you don't feel comfortable going out.
You can check out the list of releases at the RSD website! Below is a list of stores taking part in RSD as well as stores that are not. Saturday is a day to support all record stores, and if you don't feel comfortable going out, most have an online store to purchase regular releases. You can see the almost fuller list of Illinois stores at the RSD website. We also mapped out the shops on Google Maps, so take a look at your neighborhood, click on your local record shop's marker, and see what they're doing for this first RSD Drop!
Hey folks, before we jump into the Record Store Day Drop 1 details, I should warn you that there is an annoying amount of COVID-19 reminders throughout the post. We here at Third Coast Review are committed to keeping our readers as safe as possible during the pandemic and urge you to stay home if you don't feel comfortable going out. But if you do plan on going out to any of these stores, we want to make sure you remember to adhere to COVID-19 precautions: wear a mask, social distance, use hand sanitizer, and stay safe. And if you really don't feel comfortable going out, there are a few online and curbside options available to partake in the event!
This list will be updated throughout the day as stores post their RSD news. If there are any stores missing or that should be noted, leave a comment and we'll add them to the list! And remember, you don't have to go out to support these stores if you don't feel comfortable. but if you do, wear a mask, social distance, and be a responsible shopper in these COVID-19 times.
RSD ADJACENT: Chicago & Beyond!
Beyond The Limit - 7316 W Irving Park Rd, Norridge - (708) 452-5552 Buy some records, music t-shirts, and more at this fun shop! Bob's Blues & Jazz Mart- 3419 W Irving Park Road - 773-539-5002 The amazing owner of Bob's Blues & Jazz Mart, Bob Koester, recently died, leaving behind a beautiful musical legacy. They aren't sure if they are getting any RSD exclusives, but if you haven't shopped around this store, today is a perfect day to support the Chicago staple Dave's Records - 2604 N. Clark St. - 773-929-6325 - @davesrecordschi Dave's won't have any of the RSD releases . Dave is recovering from surgery and is taking it easy this year. Instead he'll be offering a a buy one, get one 50% off sale if you pay cash and a free 7" from Kurt St. Thomas with purchase! Groovin' High - 1047 W. Belmont Ave. - 773-476-6846 Groovin' High doesn't have the most consistent schedule throughout the year (read: they're almost always closed), and with COVID going on we're not sure if they'll open their doors. Hyde Park Records - 1377 E 53rd St - (773) 288-6588 With an extensive selection of Jazz, Blues, Soul and Gospel, Hyde Park Records is a great stop for your record store day celebration! Oak Park Records - 179 S Oak Park Ave., Oak Park - 708-524-2880 Oak Park Records typically does not celebrate RSD with exclusive records, opting for a general celebration of all records. Stop by and they'll announce exactly what they'll be doing this Saturday soon! Keep an eye on their Facebook page for details! Purple Dog Records - 231 S. Washington St. #105, Naperville - @PurpleDogRecords No details on their RSD plans yet, so keep an eye on their Facebook for any updates. Shady Rest Vintage & Vinyl - 1659 S. Throop - 872-444-6488 Shady Rest Vintage and Vinyl has a ton of great audio equipment and a well curated record selection, Highly recommend to make this a stop for your Record Store Day! Vinyl Frontier Records - 4720 W Elm St., McHenry While Record Store Day is a great excuse to buy some excellent records, it just doesn't make sense for every store. Vinyl Frontier records won't be participating in RSD, but they definitely should be a stop on your Record Store Day celebration! Support this great shop! Wild Praire Vinyl & Vintage- 1109 N. Western Ave - 773-580-7946 Will not be open this weekend, but you can check them out during their temporary hours of Noon to 5pm on June 8 -10 and June 15 & 16.RSD PLEDGED STORES : Chicago
606 Records - 1808 S. Allport - 312-585-6108 - @606records 606 Records will open at 10am with plenty of RSD titles available! Remember to shop safely with a mask and maintain social distancing!
Beverly Records - 11612 S. Western Ave. - 773-779-0066 - @BeverlyRecords
Beverly Records will have RSD releases this Saturday starting at 8am! They'll have an awesome poster for sale to celebrate the day! Check out what they'll have in stock here!
Bric-A-Brac Records & Collectibles - 3156 W Diversey Ave - 773-654-3915 - @bricabracrcords
This Logan Square staple is moving! Between this edition of Record Store Day and next month's will be the last time to peruse the amazing record and collectible shop! They'll also be celebrating their anniversary! Be sure to check their socials for more updates!
Bucket O' Blood Books and Records - 3182 N Elston Ave. - 312.890.3860 - @bucketoblood
Bucket O' Blood will be doing things a little different than even last year. They will be taking your RSD orders via text message Saturday morning! Text your order starting at 8am and they'll send you an invoice to pay online. HOWEVER, doors will open at noon for pickups and IN STORE SHOPPING!! They'll be letting in 12 guests at a time from 12-7pm Saturday; masks are still required. All RSD orders must be picked up Saturday or they will be refunded.
Dusty Groove Records - 1120 N. Ashland Ave. - 773-342-5800 - @DustyGroove
Dusty Groove's Record Store Day will run from 7am to 9pm. Check out their guidelines on how to purchase your RSD goodies here! They won't be letting anyone in the store, instead you'll fill out a form of what records you'd like and they'll pull them out and hand them over through their side pickup window. Titles that do not sell out on-site between 7am and noon Central will be available online, limit 1 copy per title, same for local customers in the morning. Free gifts and swag with every purchase! Free paletas for everyone! Live magic in the street — 7am to 9am!
Gramaphone Records - 2843 N. Clark St. - 773-472-3683 @gramaphonechi
Gramaphone WILL have some RSD exclusives and will have an in-store livestream featuring renowned guest DJs! Check out the Facebook page for all the RSD records they'll have!
The Exchange
- 1524 N. Milwaukee Avenue - 773-252-9570
- 935 W. Belmont - 773-883-8908
Rattleback Records - 5405 N Clark Street - 773-944-0188 -
Rattleback Records will open from 9am to 7pm for all your RSD needs! You can check out what titles they'll have on hand here! Remember to where a mask and social distance!
Reckless Records
- Loop - 26 E. Madison - 312-795-0878 - @RecklessRecords
- Wicker Park- 1379 N Milwaukee Ave. - 773-235-372 - @RecklessRecords
- Lakeview - 929 W Belmont - 773-404-5080 - @RecklessRecords
Record Breakers - 2935 N. Milwaukee Ave. - (773) 698-8387 - @recordbrckrsCHI
RSD at Record Breakers is starting at 9am! They'll have tons of special RSD releases, new soft cotton t-shirts, and thousands of new and used records for you to look through and buy to help support this great shop!
Shuga Records - 1272 N. Milwaukee Ave. - @Shuga_Records
Shuga will be opening at 10am till 7pm for RSD with COVID guidelines in place!
Tone Deaf Records - 4356 N Milwaukee Ave. - 773-372-6643 - @tonedeafrecs
Tone Deaf Records will have plenty of RSD titles when they open at 9am! You can line up at their front door and they will let you in, one at a time, first come first served! Check their website for a list of what they'll have in stock (in limited quantities of course)!
RSD PLEDGED STORES: Beyond Chicago
Algonquin Records - 532 E Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines - (847) 827-0673 Algonquin Records will be opening for RSD! Details haven't been released for how they're going to handle the day, so check their socials for any updates! Audiophil - 17 East Van Buren St, Suite 17E, Joliet - 815-319-2143 - @AudiophilS Audiophil will be open from noon to 2pm for RSD releases! Only one person will be allowed in the store during this time to pick their RSD goodies and check out. Then they will be open with limited capacity from 2pm - 7pm. Please wear a mask! Black Dog Vinyl Cafe - 16108 Illinois Rte 59, Plainfield - 815-733-6032 Black Dog Vinyl Cafe will open their doors at 8am. RSD shoppers can start a line outside of door 114 were all record sales will be placed. If your just looking for coffee, head over to door 112. Black Dog Vinyl will have live music all day! The Plainfield School of Rock will be performing from 11pm-Noon. Than Lindsey, Michael and Sean will take the BDVC stage at 1pm Blue Village Vinyl - 309 W. Ogden Ave., Westmont - 630-963-1957 Blue Village Vinyl will be opening at 10am for RSD! First come first serve. Limit 3 items, 1 per title. All used merchandise 10% off! Cheap Kiss Records - 22 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park - 847-414-9765 Cheap Kiss Records will have some great RSD titles this Saturday starting at 9am!
Culture Shock - 2239 Charles St., Rockford - 815-229-2997 - @cultureshock_
Culture Shock will be opening their doors at 8am with tons of RSD goodies and sales! They will also be offering huge discounts! All used vinyl under $10 will be 50% off and all used vinyl over $10 will be 20% off. Culture Shock will have their leftover RSD stock online starting at 8pm. Like every responsible shop in this day and age, they'll be taking extra precautions, so head over to their event page for all the details.
Green Tangerine Records - 838 W. Lincoln Hwy. DeKalb - 608-751-8386
Green Tangerine Records will be following COVID guidelines (limited people allowed inside store, wear a mask, and social distance!) when they open their doors for RSD at 8am!
Kiss The Sky - 180 First St Batavia - 180 First St Batavia
Kiss The Sky is going to conduct a Lottery to draw names out of a hat, bowl or box in order to create a “Virtual Line”. For full details on how to sign up, head over to their website or full details!
Mile Long Records- 350 W. Front Street, Wheaton - 630-474-4954 - @mile_long
Mile Long Records will have RSD titles in their store and will be following Covid guidelines. Their numbered wristband system will be in place starting at 2am, doors open at 9am. Check out their post for full details!
The Old School Record Store- 7446 Madison St., Forest Park - 708-366-7588
The Old School Record Store opens at 10am for all your RSD needs! Remember to shop safely with a mask and practice social distancing!
Record Wonderland - 737 E. Nerge Road, Roselle - 847-306-1290 - @recordwonder
Record Wonderland will open at 10am. They will be handing out numbers at 8am to discourage a long line in front of the store. As long as the weather is nice, their RSD exclusives will be set up outside the shop in the morning, so morning shoppers can look without entering the store. Entry to the actual shop will be limited, but they are still determining final capacity. Mask up and shop safely!
Rediscover Records - 9 S. Spring Street, Elgin - 847-961-8445
Rediscover Records will be opening at 8am this Saturday! As per RSD rules, no holds or preorders. There will be a limit of one item of each title per person.
Reef Records LLC - 775 Main St, Antioch - (224) 788-5066
Reef Records will be opening at 8am and they will be having a fun raffle throughout the upcoming week with prizes including Guns & Roses tickets, Weezer tickets, mystery boxes, and more!! Check out their Facebook page for more details!
Rolling Stones Music - 7300 W Irving Park Rd, Norridge - 708-456-0861
Rolling Stones Music will be opening two hours earlier than regular hours at 9am and closing at 9pm for this year's RSD!
Scratched Vinyl - 119 Barrington Commons Court, Barrington - 847-809-5820
Scratched Vinyl will be opening their doors for some RSD goodies at 9am. Items will be limited to one title per customer. Masks will be required; distancing and capacity limits will be in place for everyone’s comfort and safety
Siren Records - 3902 Main St., McHenry - 815-347-8363
Siren Records will open their doors to the RSD on Saturday at 8am for Record Store Day. Friday night they will post a video of the RSD titles they will have! Remember to be safe and wear a mask! Check out more details on their Facebook post here.
Squeezebox Books and Music - 1235 Chicago Ave., Evanston - 847-943-9309
Squeezebox will be opening at 10am and they have most of their items listed on their announcement post! Masks are a must!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfkdIuH24_0
Toad Hall Books and Records- 2106 Broadway, Rockford - 815-226-1259
Toad Hall Books and Records will be dishing out some excellent RSD titles this Saturday starting at 8am! Check out their YouTube channel for some great unboxings (part one, part two, and part 3) and roundups of their RSD plans!
Val's Halla Records - 239 Harrison St, Oak Park - 708-524-1004 - @ValshallaRecord
Val's Halla Records will be doing RSD a little differently. In order to follow distancing guidelines, they cannot allow people to line up outside of the store. Instead, Val's Halla Records will have 25-minute time slots booked for eight customers at a time and there will be a lottery for those slots. Sign up here and the lottery will be on Zoom, Wednesday June 9.
Vintage Vinyl - 925 Davis St., Evanston - 847-328-2899 - @VVMOEvanston
Vintage Vinyl will be opening up at 11am! They will have a take-out window for your RSD purchases and tables outside for browsing bargain records. Fan favorite White Wolf Sonic Princess will be outside at 10:45am for a free concert.
Windy City Records - 5224 Main St., Downer Grove - 630-534-2794
Windy City Records will start handing out numbers at 8amish, doors open at 10am for RSD goodness! Checkout the list of items they'll have in stock!
This list will be updated throughout the day as stores post their RSD news. If they are any stores missing or that should be noted, leave a comment and we'll add them to the list! And remember, you don't have to go out to support these stores if you don't feel comfortable. but if you do, wear a mask, social distance, and be a responsible shopper in these COVID-19 times.