Charlotte’s Best Independent Record Stores
For a long time, the dominant local music store in Charlotte was the Record Exchange. The Record Exchange prides itself on being one of the city’s longest-running independent music retailers. With former locations at Cotswald Mall and on East Boulevard, the Record Exchange has moved its flagship outlet to Southeast Charlotte’s Arboretum. Here you will find helpful local service and a decent selection of Billboard Top 200 CDs, as well as an eclectic blend of used CDs and vinyl releases. The used bin is an interesting place to go trolling around here, as The Record Exchange has always been one of the best places in town to trade in your old music for cash or credit. Though they’ve scaled down their size, they tend to have a good selection of independent releases as well as mainstream ones, and the staff is friendly, willing to order something for you if they don’t have it in stock. Also check out the range of paraphernalia and music-related collectibles they have on stock.
Ernie’s Records at Park Road Shopping Center is another of the long-running local staples. Started in the early 1960s by local music-lover Ernie Phipps, it’s the oldest in town. Eclectic is the word at Ernie’s, as they do the best with their limited space to keep something in stock for all kinds of audiences. Though a large part of their library is again devoted to the mainstream, there’s plenty to find here for alternative and jazz listeners as well. The used bin is great, particularly when it comes to LPs, where the vinyl is cheap and usually priced according to the collector’s market. In other words, unless it’s rare, it’s probably going to be pretty cheap, with an Elvis Costello 33 1/3 single for “Everyday I Write the Book” checking in at around $3, which is hard to beat. Ernie’s also carries a huge line of rock posters and videos, as well as other items geared specifically toward the music fan looking to round out his or her collection of knick-knacks. For the young or aging psychedelic in you, Ernie’s also offers a selection of colored lights, lava lamps, incense, and black-light posters. Deck out your room in this stuff, put on some Led Zeppelin, and get a good idea of the inspiration behind Ernie’s existence.
By far the best music store in Charlotte, Manifest Records and Tapes is also by far the biggest and one of the newest. Housed in a former department store building right on South Boulevard, Manifest is pretty much an emporium for music, stocking as many as 60,000 CDs with tons of stuff constantly moving through their used bins every day. This is probably because Manifest pays the best prices in town as far as cash and credit go for trade-ins; these, as usual, are based on quality and desirability. Manifest also has the peculiar characteristic of sponsoring live acts and CD release parties. Check in here on the evenings, and there’s a good chance you’ll discover some good new live music that you hadn’t heard before. If it’s world music, hip-hop, or classic metal you’re looking for, Manifest’s selection is impossible to beat; these niche markets aren’t served anywhere in town as well as they are here. Furthermore, Manifest does an outstanding job of staying on top of the indie market. If you’ve read about it on Pitchfork, they’re almost certain to have it here, and if they don’t, they’re certainly willing to order it for you. They vinyl racks are huge, as are the DVD bins, with a huge selection of music-related videos available as well as movie and television show collections. Manifest is also the place to go if you’re looking for DVD or SACD audio; these media, not yet as popular as CD but fast becoming so, are far less represented in other retailers around town. The staff at Manifest (and there are a bunch of them) tend to have a nearly-encyclopedic knowledge of music; hum a few bars to them or quote a few words, and chances are they’ll be able to track down what you’re looking for. If not, they have an extensive computer database in which you can search not only for artist or album name, but by label, lyrics, or various other parameters. Of course it wouldn’t be a good record store without a variety of weird paraphernalia; Biblical Action Figures, trick packs of gum that sting you, pirate eye patches, and hillbilly teeth are among the strange assembly of junk you can purchase if you find yourself waiting in line with a few extra bucks to waste. And one of Manifest’s most unique features is the huge rack of music-related magazines they keep, from which you can purchase new and back issues alike.
People tend to be particular about their record stores; some can’t stand shopping at huge warehouse-style retailers, while some are right at home. Some people like to see the same one guy working behind the counter every day, some don’t care. Whatever your preference in music store, whether you’re younger and new to the arts or more seasoned and looking to round out your collection, each one of these multimedia retailers has something to offer. No matter which one you go to, you’re sure to find something to your liking; you might even discover a long lost treasure.
The Record Exchange
8042 Providence Rd
Suite 1400
Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 752-0100
Ernie’s
4149 Park Rd
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 525-2271
Manifest Discs & Tapes
6239 South Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 552-8448
