WHETHER YOU'RE NEW to Portland or a longtime resident, you need STUFF. And while you could always order things online, or purchase said stuff at a big-box chain, you can rest assured that if you do, your new stuff won't be as interesting and the experience won't be as rewarding.
To help you find the best places to get said STUFF, the Mercury put together a shop local guide!
SHOP LOCAL—RECORD STORES
TOP PICK: Mississippi Records
Although it's kind of a shoebox, Mississippi Records holds entire worlds within its walls. The independent record store crams countless vinyl into its small, musty confines, which can make weekend perusing a bit claustrophobic. But given the space and time to explore, one visit can yield rare oddities and treasure troves. It's an expertly curated selection, right down to the tunes humming through the speakers—every time I go I have to ask what song they're playing. You can test drive records from its wide variety of genres—blues, jazz, soul, and so many more—at their handy listening station, and savvy, friendly clerks readily answer any questions. While its cramped atmosphere and cash-only policy might put off some potential customers, Mississippi Records provides the most enjoyable and enlightening record store experience in town. CIARA DOLAN
5202 N Albina
ALSO DON'T MISS:
Little Axe Records (4142 NE Sandy). Now at their brand-new location in the Hollywood District, Little Axe has some of the choicest selection and best used vinyl prices in town.
Crossroads Music (3130 SE Hawthorne). Why go to one record store when you could go to 35? Dozens of independent vendors make this the best used vinyl selection in Portland—a browser's paradise and an anal retentive's nightmare.
Musique Plastique (1627 NE Alberta). Obscurities and classics sit side-by-side in this small but welcoming boutique, with an impressive inventory of the coolest records around.
Clinton Street Record and Stereo (2510 SE Clinton). Great service, drool-worthy vintage audio gear, and a terrific selection—boogie, house, disco, film soundtracks, and more—make this cozy shop a must-stop.
Vintage Vintage (2455 SE 11th). From the outside it looks like yet another clothing and furniture store, but Vintage Vintage is actually home to dozens of bins that overflow with cheap $2 records.
