Washington, DC | Five D.C. area record shops and their favorite new albums from 2025: 2025 brought a number of album releases that kept us grooving from January until now. But there was so much new music released this year that it is nearly impossible to enjoy it all…or even to know where to start. WAMU arts and culture reporter Darryl C. Murphy paid a visit to some of the D.C. region’s top record stores to find out what new albums from 2025 topped their favorites list, as well as some local acts to look out for in 2026.
Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis’ top record store names its 2025 bestsellers: In-store appearances paid off for artists who made it to Minneapolis’ best-known record store in 2025, but they couldn’t top the performer behind this year’s much-ballyhooed Super Bowl appearance. Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” was the Electric Fetus’ top-selling record of 2025, according to the store’s annual year-end list. Released to streaming sites in November 2024, the album was issued on vinyl in January just before the Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles rapper’s halftime gig at Super Bowl LIX in February and his tour kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium in April. “The Super Bowl gave it a boost, but really it’s been a steady seller all year,” said Jim Novak, the Electric Fetus’ music buyer. “I think that’s a testament to how it’s just a very solid record.”
Akron, OH | Popular Akron record store closes after nearly 25 years in business: The Akron community has said goodbye to longtime record store Square Records. “I’m not too pleased about it, because this was my favorite spot to go,” said customer Brian Corrigan. The store opened back in 2003 in Highland Square and quickly became a community staple. It was known for its wide selection of post-punk, new wave, independent, hip-hop and jazz. “One thing that really drew me to this place is it has a more curated selection compared to other record stores,” said customer Aidan Miller. For over 23 years, the record store became a hotspot people looked forward to visiting.
Kansas City, MO | Drop the Needle: A guide to KC’s record stores. Even in the age of digital streaming, independent record stores across Kansas City are alive and well. There’s something grounding and intentional about the tactile nature of vinyl: dropping the needle, flipping the disc and taking in an album from start to finish. From vintage rarities to new releases, the records at these local shops are keeping the art of listening alive. Sister Anne’s Records and Coffee: In the ’90s, Frank Alvarez and Jim Oshel’s friendship blossomed as co-workers at the vinyl shop Westport Recycled Sound. The business closed in 2006, but the pair remained close as Oshel put down roots at Overland Park’s now-defunct Vinyl Renaissance and Alvarez opted for a career change at Broadway Cafe. Today, the duo co-owns Sister Anne’s Records and Coffee.
Chicago, IL | Chicago record store targeted with death threats for selling ‘Black music:’ Bridgeport Records has made a name for itself for its inclusive and diverse approach to the Chicago music scene. A Chicago record store is facing racist harassment and death threats for stocking “Black music” and other works by artists of color. Bridgeport Records first opened in 2024, being a beacon of creativity and diversity for the neighborhood and its namesake. However, the record shop’s owner recently received a death threat, targeting the store for its diverse collection. Bridgeport Records mainly stocks dance and house music, thus befitting why it has a wide-range of artists to select from. The assortment had not appeared to spark issue until recently, when a distressing call alerted owners Jerry Morrison and Vick Lavender on Dec. 20. The duo were watching the Chicago Bears’ game at the shop when a man told them he had plans to kill them.
Nashville, TN | The Groove Plans a Move: The longtime East Nashville record store is set to leave its current location after Dec. 31, reopen in 2026. The Groove, a staple of Nashville indie record retail and the greater East Nashville arts scene, is preparing for a move. Per the shop’s Instagram post, the last day of business at the Calvin Avenue location will be Dec. 31. Owners Michael Combs and Jesse Cartwright plan to reopen in a new location, but plan to announce details in the new year. …Combs and Cartwright took over the store in 2017. In late 2021, news came that their landlord was putting the property up for sale and had given them first right of refusal on purchasing the site. They launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to buy the property, but were ultimately unsuccessful and ended the bid in February 2022.
Sheffield, UK | Closing down Sheffield record store issues 14-word warning to keep the industry going: ‘Fiercely independent’ Sheffield record store which has been open for a decade to close for good after entering ‘final chapter.’ …Record Junkee, based on Earl Street in Sheffield city centre, sells records and is also a live music venue, hosting acts including Molchat Doma, Fat White Family, IDLES and Viagra Boys. However, it announced yesterday it will close its doors due to financial difficulties. In a statement published on its social media, Record Junkee said: “It’s with heavy hearts that we are sad to announce Record Junkee as we know it will be closing. It’s no secret that in today’s climate, independent venues have been struggling. In the last few months, it has become clear to us that it’s unfortunately no longer financially viable for us to continue.”
Muncie, IN | Record Parlor of Muncie: Your Living Room for Vinyl. …The Record Parlor of Muncie, located in the Rose Court building, represents the culmination of Derrick McNelly’s 10-year vision to restore downtown’s record store presence. “Owning a record store is something that has been a dream of mine for a long time, but I’ve been talking about this shop specifically for about 10 years,” McNelly said. “I already had the name, the concept, all of it laid out, and wrote it down in notebooks and stuff. Just never did it.” The transition from insurance work to entrepreneurship wasn’t easy, but McNelly credits that 1099 experience with controlling his finances independently with building the confidence needed to launch the business. “I was getting a little frustrated at my last job. It wasn’t really me,” he explained. “Without that experience, I wouldn’t have felt as confident moving forward and working for myself.”
Sea-Tac, WA | Sub Pop announces closure of Sea-Tac Airport store after 12 years: The iconic Sub Pop Store at Sea-Tac Airport will close Dec. 31, 2025, ending a 12-year run that brought Seattle based independent music culture to one of the region’s busiest travel hubs. Sub Pop announced the closure this week, thanking customers, artists and employees who helped turn the airport retail space into what the label described as a community gathering point for music lovers passing through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. “Thank you truly to every customer, music lover, artist and employee who passed through our little outpost,” Sub Pop said in a statement. “You filled it with heart, soul, curiosity and laughter, and turned an airport shop into something that felt like community.”
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