Stop by one of North Jersey’s local record stores to find your next hidden treasure

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While analog copies of music were once thought to be a thing of the past for most, they have experienced a resurgence in recent years.

In the age of online shopping, many people are missing out on the excitement that comes along with digging through bins of music to finally find that one hidden treasure and, instead, have grown accustomed to having everything delivered to their front doors.

So, whether you’re a seasoned music lover or you’ve just gotten your first turntable and are looking to build your collection, take some time to explore local record stores in our area.

Here are nine local record stores where you can browse records, CDs and cassette tapes to your hearts content:

Record King, Saddle Brook

A Hackensack staple for 56 years before being forced to close due to downtown redevelopment, Record King relocated to Saddle Brook in 2021. While the store has a smaller stock of vinyl records at its new location, Record King still offers a wide selection of genres to choose from, including oldies, classic rock, soul, R&B and country.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Go: 238 Market St., Saddle Brook; 201-488-4232, facebook.com/The-Record-King.

Factory Records, Dover

Located inside a 1938 vintage picture frame factory, Factory Records has more than 5,000 square feet of space dedicated to vinyl records and CDs. The shop also took on most of the inventory from the Record King’s Hackensack location when it closed.

Factory Records also has a complete audio department, where customers can speak with a technician to help them build their own audio system, replace their turntable stylus, repair their equipment and more. Additionally, there is a lounge where visitors can enjoy coffee, see live performances and listen to favorites on a jukebox.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Go: 158 W Clinton St., Dover; 833-357-8782, factoryrecords.com.

Music Country, Cliffside Park

First opened as Taliaferro Radio and Electric in 1934, the store became Music Country in the 1980s. One of the oldest record stores in the nation, Music Country sells a wide selection of genres in records, CDs and cassette tapes. Additionally, you can find music instruments and accessories, such as guitars, sheet music and amplifiers, as well as collectibles like posters, t-shirts, comic books and other memorabilia.

Hours: 1 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Go: 728 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park; 201-943-1045, musiccountryrecords.com.

Almost Ready Records, Montclair

Almost Ready Records opened its second location in Montclair in 2022 — its first is in Brooklyn — and the store has grown to attract visitors from all around.

The store has a stock of vinyl records, CDs and cassette tapes in a variety of genres, and there is even a Technic 1200 turntable with headsets available where customers can listen to their selections before buying them.

Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Go: 537 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; 973-746-0670, almostreadyrecords.com.

Vinyl Addiction Records, North Arlington

Opened in 2021, Vinyl Addiction Records is a heavy metal music fans paradise. While specializing in genres like heavy metal, punk, hardcore, rock, indie and alternative genres, Vinyl Addiction Records carries all types of music in used vinyl records and CDs. And, if you’re looking to unload some of your music collection, they’ll buy them, too.

Hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday; noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Go: 7 Ridge Road, North Arlington; 201-957-3494, vinyladdictionrecordsnj.com.

Tunes, Hoboken

First opened in 1995, Tunes has been part of Hoboken’s Washington Street for nearly two decades. Originally opened as part of a small chain of records stores, Tunes owner Chip Heuisler has owned the store independently since 2018.

In store, the shop carries a wide selection of both new and used vinyl records and CDs, as well as DVDS and games for sale or trade. Tunes also offers shopping through their website, as well as through their online marketplaces on Amazon, eBay and Discogs.

Hours: Open daily from noon to 7 p.m.

Go: 225 Washington St., Hoboken; 201-653-3355, tuneshoboken.com.

Station 1 and Flipside Records, Pompton Lakes

In Pompton Lakes, you can hit up two record stores on one trip. Station 1 and Flipside Records are located just minutes away from one another.

Open since 1980, Flipside Records is overflowing with used records, CDs and cassette tapes. Specializing in classic rock but offering all genres, the store has a ton of hidden gems that require you to dig through their overflowing inventory to find. You’ll also be transported back in time with all of the store’s vintage posters and photos.

Located in the historic 1927 Pompton Lakes train station, Station 1 opened in 2018 after owner Daniel Salsberg decided to open a storefront following 12 years of buying and selling online under the name NJ Book Buyer. Today, the store has thousands of new and used records, CDs and cassette tapes within its walls. There is also a selection of DVDs, books, stereos, vintage furniture and more available.

Hours: Flipside Records is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. Station 1 is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; noon to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Go: 1 Station Plaza, Pompton Lakes; 973-307-0212, station1booksvinyl.com and 120 Wanaque Ave., Pompton Lakes; 973-835-8448, vinylworld.org/record-shop/flipside-2-records.

Sound Exchange, Wayne

Sound Exchange first opened in Ringwood in 1979, and moved to Wayne in 1982. The store is known for its huge selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs and cassette tapes in all genres. Sound Exchange also sells other items, like pins and t-shirts.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Go: 1482 Route 23, Wayne; 973-694-6049, instagram.com/soundexchange_nj.

Here are some other local record stores to check out:

• BB’s Records, Bergenfield
• Music Connection, Elmwood Park
• Iris Records, Jersey City
• EZ 2 Collection, Elmwood Park
• Soldato, Rutherford
• Montclair Book Center, Montclair
• Sweet Vinyl Cafe, Denville

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.