By Constance Rigney, March 27, 2025
Portland, Oregon is a city alive with abundant creativity, art, and music. It’s a city with a deep appreciation for all things analog, and Portland’s record stores are like treasure troves for music lovers, collectors, and the curious alike.
With their distinct personalities, varied collections, and rad community offerings, Portland’s record stores truly offer something special for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the best spots in town, where you can get your groove on and support local businesses at the same time.
Mississippi Records – A Vinyl Sanctuary
Mississippi Records will always be #1 in my heart. A cozy record store and also home to the Mississipi Records music label, the store and record label have earned a devoted following among vinyl fans from around the world. Always promoting local artists, previously overlooked music, as well as curating deep dive vinyl compilations (and mixed tapes!), Mississippi Records is the best place to find your new favorite artist that you’ve never heard of. Owner, and true Portland gem, Eric Isaacson describes it best when he says, “We preserve the discarded sounds of the world….The music we’re drawn to is often created outside of existing commercial industries. It’s the work of visionary artists with something urgent and original to say.”
Mississippi Records has a fantastic selection of used vinyl, as well as new records, and their in-house mixed tapes are not to be missed! Come for the records, stay for the pastries next door at Sweedeedee, or a beverage across the street at The Red Fox—this North Portland block has all the ingredients for a perfect day.
Jackpot Records – The Local Staple With A Big Personality
Located on the ever-popular Hawthorne Blvd, Jackpot records has been a vinyl institution for almost 30 years. This spot has a vibe that blends friendly neighborhood feel with serious music knowledge. Jackpot Records describes themselves as, “Not just a store—we’re a record label, a community resource, and a place where music enthusiasts can come together to discover and appreciate all types of music, regardless of genre or format.” Jackpot Records reissues a lot of records and are known for those reissues being high quality.
Music Millennium – Portland’s Legendary Music Mecca
If you’re looking for a record store that feels like a cornerstone of Portland’s vinyl culture, Music Millennium is the place to be. Opened in 1969, it holds the distinction of being Portland’s longest-running independent music store. It’s a paradise for music lovers of all kinds. With its spacious layout and welcoming atmosphere, Music Millennium has hosted countless amazing in-store music performances, and continues to do so. The store is well-stocked with everything from the latest indie releases to hard-to-find pressings of classic albums, and there is always plenty of staff if you have questions—Definitely the place for a marathon dig session.
Black Water Records – A Punk Paradise
For those who love to dig deeper into punk, underground, and hardcore records, Black Water Records is a must-see. Located just off NE MLK JR Blvd (but recently announced that they are moving to the Hollywood District of Portland), Black Water’s reputation for being one of Portland’s best-kept secrets is well deserved. The store has an incredible selection of used vinyl, with a particular focus on indie rock, punk, metal, and experimental genres.
What’s especially cool about Black Water is the intimate, no-frills vibe. The shop is small and packed with crates of records that are worth exploring. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, this is the place to discover new sounds or find rare records that you won’t find anywhere else in town.
If rumors are to be believed, Black Water is moving to NE Sandy Blvd and soon they’ll not only be a record store and record label, but also a place where you can eat vegan food and listen to love music—can’t wait!
Too Many Records – A Collector’s Dream
As the name suggests, Too Many Records is a haven for those who can’t get enough of vinyl. This shop, located n the Arbor Lodge/Portsmouth neighborhood of Portland, is almost entirely used vinyl, and they specialize in an eclectic mix of genres, and a heavy emphasis on what they call “holy grail” records (rare and collectible albums) from all eras. The owner, Matt Kessler, has a serious passion for records! In fact, he amassed an incredible community of fans on his Too Many Records YouTube channel which has been going strong for over 8 years. This guy knows vinyl, LOVES music, and surely has something just for you.
Vinyl is alive and well in Portland, Oregon!
From long-standing institutions like Music Millennium to the unique, niche offerings of Mississippi Records, Portland’s record stores are proof that vinyl is alive and well. These shops are more than just places to buy music—they’re community hubs where music lovers connect, discover new sounds, and experience the joy of physical music. So whether you’re a longtime collector or just beginning your vinyl journey, Portland’s record stores are waiting to introduce you to a world of music, one spin at a time.
Happy digging!
Constance Rigney
Broker | OR & WA
She/Her
What I love about the field of real estate is that essentially, it’s about dreams and possibilities. It’s about finding a space that can support the life you are envisioning and crafting...
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