If you’re anything like us, then going to a record store is the most exciting part of your week. If you aren’t, that’s okay; you’ll still love Repo Records. Located in the midst of the sex shops and general smut of South Street, Repo occupies a small, poster-adorned space filled wall-to-wall with CDs and vinyl. New releases are featured at the cashier counter, as well as a short supply of the stalwarts of the British music press. The rest of the music collection is, well, everywhere.
The walls of the front room are racked with CDs, and a relatively meager offering of used vinyl lies in the middle of the room. Repo stocks both used and new CDs, which caters well to those looking for recent releases as well as those on a budget. The used CDs are often incredibly cheap — many of them are sold for two dollars — and the new ones are still very reasonable in their pricing (albums are often around $11). The store specializes in rock and its numerous subcategories: indie, punk, hardcore, etc. Its supply within these genres is large, and enthusiasts have a fairly good chance of finding relatively obscure albums. While it does have a small selection of jazz and soul, those interested in these genres would probably find better offerings at another record store.
The LPs, though, are what truly makes the store interesting. While they are in shorter supply than the CDs, Repo’s commitment to preserving the classic, high-quality format is unmatched by most record stores. Repo stocks many new releases on vinyl, and it also sells many new copies of classic albums as well. The covers of various LPs adorn the back room, and if you ever find yourself questioning the value of cover art in the digital age, peruse this collection to regain faith.
From the back room, a narrow staircase leads to the basement. This staircase is easy to miss at first — it’s a little out of the way, it’s pitch black if no one is down there and it’s covered in signs asking customers to leave their bags at the counter. But what you’ll find there is well worth abandoning your possessions. The room is filled with used LPs, many for as low as 50 cents. It’s a fairly random supply, and while you’ll find a lot of albums that are best appreciated for their ironic value, it still should not be overlooked. In an age when record stores are constantly in danger of closing, it’s these touches that make Repo one worth protecting.
Repo Records
538 South St. (215) 627–3775
Category: Used and new CDs and vinyl. Price Range: $—$$ Bottom Line: A well-stocked, reasonably-priced, and generally kickass record store.
