• 'Protect Ya Neck' was Wu-Tang Clan's debut single in 1992. Above, Gabriel Coan, owner of Records Forever, holds up his copy of the single on vinyl.

    In the News: Why we love Wu-Tang

    Records Forever owner, Gabriel Coan, spoke with PhillyVoice on the eve of Wu-Tang Clan’s farewell concert in Philadelphia.

  • Vote for Records Forever for Best Record Store

    Metro Philly's Best Nomination

    We’ve been nominated for 2025 Best Record Store in Philly! Whoa. Voting is open until August 8, 2025.

  • Records Forever opened at 2036 Fairmount Avenue on November 1, 2024.

    In the News: Media veteran Gabriel Coan’s next venture is a record shop

    From the Broad Street Review

  • Sell us your records.

    Sell us your records (and CDS and cassettes, too)

    We pay well, make house calls, and we don’t play games. Get in touch!

Visit our shop in Philadelphia

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are your store hours?

We’re open 11 AM to 7 PM Mon-Sat, and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sundays.

Do you buy old records?

Yes! We buy vinyl records, cassettes, and CDs.

We’re especially interested in well-loved collections across all genres. We typically don’t buy much classical music, but we do make exceptions for 20th-century composers and avant-garde artists like Philip Glass, Suzanne Ciani, Steve Reich, and Terry Riley.

How can I sell you my records?

Just drop by the shop, no appointment needed. You're welcome to hang out and browse while we check out your collection.

Have a large collection or something tough to transport? We also do house calls — just get in touch to schedule a visit.

What kind of music do you specialize in?

We specialize in discovery. We’re not just a record shop, we’re a space built to help you explore music across eras, genres, and continents.

Our jazz collection is organized in a way that traces the genre from the early swing and big band era, through the spacious and laid back sounds of cool jazz, to the fast complexities of bebop and the innovative compositions of the free jazz and avant-garde movement.

Our rock section follows a timeline, beginning with early R&B and rockabilly of the 1950s, progressing through the golden era of classic rock in the '60s and '70s, then to the punk and metal scenes of the '80s, followed by the rise of alternative and indie in the '90s and 2000s, and all the way up to today’s artists, who are pushing genre boundaries like never before.

If you’re a fan of reggae and dub, you’ll find early Jamaican “oldies,” like ska and rock steady, classic dub records, UK sound system culture, and today’s modern roots revival.

As one of Philadelphia’s best record stores for vinyl, we curate our bins to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, plus something you don’t know. Whether you're searching for rare jazz LPs, classic punk albums, indie rock gems, or obscure experimental releases, every visit promises a new discovery.

Can you get me a record you don’t have in stock?

Yes, yes, yes. We special order titles for customers all the time. We work with a wide range of distributors and labels, so if it’s in print, we can likely get it for you.

Where are you located?

2036 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130

We're in Fairmount, one of Philly’s most walkable neighborhoods, just blocks from Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Barnes Foundation, Calder Gardens (opening 2025), Fairmount Park, and the Schuylkill River waterfront.


There’s also lots of great restaurants, bars, places to get coffee, shops, and community gardens.

Is there parking nearby?

Yes, there’s a paid parking lot nearby, and street parking is usually available. Just check the signs.

Do you repair turntables?

We’re happy to take a look. If it’s something we can fix, we will and usually free of charge. For bigger issues, we’ll connect you with our trusted local repair partner: Philly Sound Works, also in the neighborhood.

Can you recommend a good turntable?

Absolutely. Whether you’re new to vinyl or ready for an upgrade, we’ll help you pick the right setup for your budget and needs.

Stop in, or message us at hello@recordsforevershop.com or via Instagram.

Do you sell turntables?

Yes, we carry new turntables from Audio-Technica, as well as a range of fully serviced and guaranteed used decks.

Will you carry my/my band’s record, tape, or CD?

Probably. Bring us a copy or send over links to your music. We love stocking local and independent artists.

Contact us