The Marvelous
You’ve probably never noticed The Marvelous unless you’ve drunkenly mistaken it for Smokes, but this old–school record store has everything you need to expand (or start!) your vinyl collection. This underground store has a homey, intimate vibe that makes it feel like you’re pawing through your cooler older cousin’s music stash. Here, you’ll find colorful milk crates stuffed with everything from old-school Dylan to Beirut’s latest to the Ghostbusters soundtrack — all on vinyl and all for cheap. New arrivals don’t stay on the shelves for long, so stop by every week to get your digs. And don’t forget to check out their $1 bins for all the Destiny's Child LPs you (not–so–unironically) desire.
-Frida Garza
a.k.a. Music
When shopping for music in Philadelphia, you can't find a better experience than a.k.a. Music near 2nd and Market. They always have the latest releases and the approachable staff are eager to chat and help out without a hint of pretension. There's always a great new artist or an old classic playing over the speakers, and the store will often have limited releases of rare and local acts. While the store’s record collection isn’t very deep, it’s current and reasonably–priced (and has a metal vinyl section you've gotta scope out). If you're not quite ready to take the vinyl plunge, a.k.a. has a huge CD collection, which features an endless wall of dirt–cheap used CDs, which always yield some amazing finds.
— Dorian Mendoza
Repo Records
Situated in the holy grail of Philadelphia record shopping at 6th and South, Repo Records offers one of the best combinations of new, old and used CDs and vinyls in the city. The ground floor offers all of the newest albums in both formats as well as multiple bargain buckets with fantastic deals on used CDs. The shopping experience is completely transformed, however, when you head downstairs. The basement is filled to capacity with used vinyl from as little as 50 cents. Navigating the maze of music is no easy task, but with a little effort, one can find some serious gems.
— Benjamin Parry
