As you’ve no doubt worked out by now, we love record shops. Whether big or small, rocking a minimalist aesthetic or packing enough vinyl into their overflowing crates to wear down several lifetime’s worth of needles, we love how each and every one has something special in store for its customers. From the quirkiest locals to the big, gig-hosting powerhouses, every thirty-odd days we pick one to be our Record Store of the Month. They get a tasty gift from the Record Tokens team, and you get to discover the best independent record shops this country has to offer – it’s a win-win!
October's Record Store of the Month: Assai Records, Dundee
This month's winning shop – Assai Records in Dundee – is an independent record store, specialising in new and reissue vinyl across all genres. Under normal circumstances, the shop promotes “out store” events from some of the biggest names in the industry including Lewis Capaldi, Snow Patrol, Sam Fender, Foals, The Divine Comedy, Tom Walker, and Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream. We love Assai Records' continued support of Record Store Day and their active social media profile where they continually display their musical knowledge.
Keith from the shop says: "We stock a wide range of exclusive vinyl editions which aren’t available from high street chains, as well as a huge selection of hifi turntables and accessories, t-shirts, gift ideas and merchandise.
Run by an experienced and passionate team of music lovers, Assai aims to provide what’s been missing from record retail for many; namely first-class service, and a love and respect for the music we sell.
We’re enormously grateful to the Record Tokens team for highlighting our store. Now more than ever, it’s hugely important to support your local independent businesses and Record Tokens are an ideal way to do just that. They’re convenient, easy to use, and encourage people to get out there and dig in record shops. Music is one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone, and letting them choose their own music can be even better!"
Congratulations to the entire Assai Records team! We hope you enjoy your luxury hamper of goodies – don't finish it all at once!
You can find Assai Records at 33 Union Street, Dundee. If you're round their neck of the woods be sure to pop in and give them a visit as soon as it is safe to do so, or check out their online shop – and don't forget your Record Tokens!
Previous Record Stores of the Month
September 2020 - Vinyl Exchange, Manchester
August 2020 - Slide Record Shop, Bedford
July 2020 - The Forge, Tonyrefail, Wales
June 2020 - Fish Records, Stone, Staffordshire
May 2020 - Raves from the Grave, Frome, Somserset
April 2020 - Red House Records, Swindon
March 2020 - The Rock Box Record Store, Camberley, Surrey
February 2020 - Tasty Records, Altrincham, Greater Manchester
January 2020 - The Record Café, Bradford
December 2019 - Sister Ray, London
November 2019 - Phase 1, Liverpool
October 2019 - Empire Records, St Albans
September 2019 - Record Collector, Sheffield
August 2019 - Black Circle Records, Leighton Buzzard
July 2019 - Beyond Vinyl, Newcastle
June 2019 - The Orpington, Bromley
May 2019 - Vinyl Fiction, Manchester
April 2019 - Spiller's Records, Cardiff
March 2019 - David's Music, Hertfordshire
February 2019 - Winyl, Manningtree
January 2019 - Rapture Witney, Oxfordshire
December 2018 - Crash Records, Leeds
November 2018 - Pebble Records, Eastbourne
October 2018 - Spinning Discs, Sheffield
September 2018 - Reflex Records, Newcastle
August 2018 - Banquet Records, Kingston
July 2018 - Hundred Records, Hampshire