It probably goes without saying, but we love record shops. Whether they're big or small, rocking a minimalist aesthetic or packing more vinyl than you can shake a stick at into overflowing crates, 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, we pick one each month 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 - win-win!
October's Record Store of the Month: Empire Records, St Albans
This month's winning shop fittingly shares its name with the cult Seattle-based movie about a day in the life of a record store, but rest assured - there's no corporate big business looming to take over this brilliant indie! Based in the historic city of St Albans, Empire Records specialises in new and second hand vinyl, and has played host to some impressive artists in its nearly seven-year residency in the city centre.
Dave from the shop tells us more:
"We're situated in the heart of St Albans town centre, where we carry both new and second hand vinyl and CDs, with a great selection of very latest new releases as well as an ever changing catalogue of second hand music across all genres. Hosting signings and in store performances from the likes of Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes, Circa Waves, Enter Shikari, Steven Wilson and Slade, we're always looking out for new and exciting opportunities to offer our customers! We've been trading for almost 7 years, continuing a long trend of record shops in St Albans."
Congratulations to Dave and the rest of the team! You can find Empire Records at 21 Heritage Close, St Albans - don't forget your Record Tokens!
Previous Record Stores of the Month
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