There’s something nostalgic and heart warming about sliding your favorite record out of the sleeve, placing it on the turntable, setting the needle on the groove, and hearing that distinctive crackle. Vinyls have a special way of taking us back in time and giving us an experience and connection to music that CDs and modern streaming services just can’t recreate.
Whether you’re looking for a new record to play for your next dinner party or one to listen to for a relaxing evening at home, you’ve come to the right place. There are a plethora of record stores in Asheville where collectors and music lovers alike can hunt through rows of records and even watch vinyl pressing in action.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through some of our favorite record stores in Asheville and what you can expect to find at each one.
Listen to the Music: 4 Must Visit Record Stores in Asheville
Whether you’re exploring the streets of downtown Asheville or taking a trip to the west side of town, there are plenty of places to find those vinyl hidden gems. Here is a roundup of where you can explore.
Grab Your Next Favorite Record at Harvest Records
Located in West Asheville, Harvest Records is an award-winning record shop that opened its doors in 2004. The store offers an authentic and engaging record store experience for anyone that visits. Sift through a large inventory of new and used vinyl racks that are replenished almost daily! After you peruse the shelves, grab lunch at Early Girl Eatery or treat yourself to a locally made pastry and coffee at OWL Bakery.
Photo credit: Harvest Records
Look for Hidden Gems at Voltage Records
In downtown Asheville, you’ll find Voltage Records — a small vinyl shop but still with plenty to choose from. Here, you can buy, sell, or even trade vinyls – whatever your heart desires! The other perk of this location, on Lexington Avenue, is that there are some other great local shops like East Fork Pottery and Nest Boutique to explore while you’re out and about.
Photo credit: Voltage Records
Watch Vinyl Pressing at Citizen Vinyl
For the record shoppers that want a more robust experience, this is the place for you. With a cafe, local artisan coffee, and a full bar specializing in aperitivo cocktails, enjoy the creative flare of Asheville while you shop for vinyls. Citizen Vinyl is also unique, because it has a recording studio and offers vinyl pressing with three different machines:
- A 10,000-pound semi-automatic LiteTone which is ideally suited for high output and custom runs
- A customized SMT Model 1500 that is fully-automatic and capable of making around 100 discs per hour.
- A 2022 computerized fully-automatic record press that was custom built for Citizen Vinyl.
Vinyl pressing is visible to all visitors thanks to large glass windows that surround the machines on the main floor of the building. So, grab a coffee or cocktail and watch the presses go to work! You can even schedule a tour if you’d like.
Citizen Vinyl is located in the heart of downtown Asheville with the historic Grove Arcade just across the street so be sure to check it out while you’re out record shopping.
Photo credit: Explore Asheville
Browse Must-Haves Records at Records in the RAD
The last stop on our record store tour is Records in the RAD located in Asheville’s creative hub, the River Arts District, where you can visit the working art studios and galleries of hundreds of artists.
Records in the RAD is a thoughtfully curated record store with an eclectic selection of new and used vinyls. In addition to records, the store has a music inspired art gallery featuring local artists.
If you get hungry or parched from shopping, we recommend visiting two Asheville favorites, New Belgium Brewing or 12 Bones Smokehouse.
Photo credit: Records in the RAD
Your Next Adventure Awaits at 1900 Inn on Montford
For vinyl lovers and collectors, Asheville is the perfect place to explore. But it also has so much more to offer! From hiking and outdoor adventure to the eclectic food scene, there’s something for everyone. Find your home away from home at 1900 Inn on Montford, just minutes from downtown Asheville. If you have any questions about your visit or need recommendations, please reach out to us! We’re looking forward to serving you during your stay.