Nickelodeon Records

I was in here for a few minutes browsing, and left because of the extremely rude old woman who works in there (maybe the owner?) who chastised me for having my phone out. Is an iPhone going to destroy your merchandise? Awful service, will not be returning.

We were very excited to stop in for the first time and snag some records to bring back to Phoenix. Looked like a great selection with lots of variety – even some very cool old radio programs! My husband loves old radio and found some from the 40s that he used to listen to as a kid in the 80s. He was planning to buy a stack of them and some Pete Seeger when he snapped a photo of one of the radio programs to send to his brother who would be excited about it. The woman manning the shop (I assume to be the owner) suddenly chirped, «You take a photo of it, you buy it!» We were taken aback because she said it kind of rudely and there was no sign saying to not take any photos. Although they sell vintage records, I think they should get with the times and realize that having a customer share a snapshot to a friend or on instagram is a bit of free publicity. We felt very uncomfortable and ended up leaving without buying any of the records we were excited about. Hopefully the proprietors read this and get the moral of the story – try to assume the best about your customers and not the worst.

I don’t usually review the following places: tattoo shops, piercing shops, or record stores. Not sure why, but it may have to do with tryng to keep a couple of secrets just for me. I know people are reviewing everything, but it’s the type of Unilocal personality I’m trying to give myself…
Anyway, Nichelodeon. She advertises as being a vintage vinyl shop and that usually means trying to hike up prices to folks who don’t know any better. But she’s honest. Her prices are modest and her selection is great! Grabbed a Harry Nilsson and some others for under $ 25. Come support. Even if you don’t have a record player, it’s cool to own vinyls now, don’t you know?

This is a quaint, little shop. Their inventory is pretty disheveled and really dusty. But they do have four crates of records for $ 0.50 per. Their inventory is great if you’re looking for some old stuff, but you won’t find anything recent or new.

As far as San Diego record shops go, this is my favorite. Decent stock and quality small business owners (love them!)
Crates of records on tables, the floor, outside the door… Literally taking up every inch outside of walking space. Plan on crawling on your needs during your visit. I always carefully look though their stock for fear of missing something amazing.
Side note: You will not find lame-​brain indie records here.

Legendary Adams Ave. record store. Used LP stock for the most part is stagnant, but there are gems to be found on occasion. Prices are reasonable, and store owners are super cool.

This is NOT where I come to increase my indie collection, but that is part of its charm. Much like its cramped and dusty interior. If you’re looking for classic rock or older music, you might find it here, and the atmosphere is the kind of searching and quiet personal victory of finding the elusive rare recording.
This place isn’t for the kind of person who wants to be in and out and on their way, its definitely a place to casually flip through the selection – it is a good size – and chat with the owners.
Its been mentioned in the reviews before, their bargain bins are great! This is where I got The Who’s Tommy for 50¢.

Although I didn’t find anything I really wanted to buy here, my boyfriend found a couple of gems, and I enjoy this record store simply for the fact that it exists. There are a ton of records here, and the place is cool just because it seems to have been around forever. You have to do some digging (which is half the fun, right?), but this is a really cool vintage record shop. You’re not going to necessarily find that album you’ll spin every day, but you might find something cool to throw in the mix and surprise everyone. They accept credit cards, but they call it in to be approved, which is kinda awesome.

I could spend HOURS in this store, and I have.
They have a massive collection of old rock, pop, jazz, Big Band records for bargain prices.
The ladies who own the shop are really nice and will help you find just about anything you’re looking for.
Once, I was in there looking for Credence Clearwater Revival vinyls for my dad and I came across a record that the band cut BEFORE they hit if big as CCR, under the band name «The Golliwogs.»
As you can imagine, my dad was beyond thrilled to get the album. We took the record with us to a CCR concert and got it signed by Stu Cook and Doug «Cosmo» Clifford., who were equally excited to see the old, pre-​Credence record. The look on my dad’s face was PRICELESS.
Anyway, this place is perfect to spend a weekend morning sifting through. It’s a nice stop if you’re walking around in the area.
Just make sure you bring cash with you. The owners have a ridiculously old credit card machine that works, but takes forever, so better off with nice, crisp bills instead.

I am a vinylphile. A self-​confessed vinylholic. Completely strung out on the black crack. MPWhat? To even play a cd makes me feel just a little bit ashamed and dirty. And not in a good way either. And DO NOT get me started on digital downloads!
Nickelodeon is, for my vinyl habit, like having your dealer live right next door. He may sell inferior product but for the sake of convenience and satisfying that urge you’ll check him out every once in a while.
Saturday mornings there’s 4 fresh crates of 50 cent records set outside the shop. Big band, musicals, 80’s, classic rock, vocal standards, obscure world music from the 50’s and 60’s. Live life. Take some chances. If the cover looks cool, give it a try. The worst thing that could happen is that you’ll end up with a conversation piece for your coffee table or wall. LP art is some of the greatest of our lifetimes.
The inside of the store is a cluttered mess. Just how I like my record shops. You never know what you’ll find. Never. You just have to be willing to leave with grey fingertips from all the dust to get to your private gem but believe me, it’s in there. Somewhere.
I also love the fact that it’s a cash only biz! When I owned my own record shop downtown I wanted it to be cash only until I realized that all the kids were spending money on newly acquired credit cards! So happy to have been part of America’s credit addiction. Not really.
Come in to Nickelodeon some Saturday. Have a look around. Dry those tears of nostalgia and belly up to the bins. Just don’t step on me! I’m the guy rooting around in the bins beneath the bins.. .

again, another place in north park that is almost never open. when we drove past today and realized the lights were on i decided to put my hunger on hold and stop in.
very cramped, very dusty but full of great stuff. this is not your average record store. nor is it indie. it’s packed full with vinyl classics and antique american pop.
i picked up a record here by «miss teal joy». i have no idea what she sounds like just yet, but i’m a 20’s — 60’s girl pop lover and i just couldn’t resist when i saw something that looked interesting by a person i’d never heard.
if around next payday i drive past nickelodeon again and it’s open, i’ll know it’s fate and i’ll probably spend about $ 100 just adding to my collection.
the woman (i know there’s two, but the other wasn’t there) who owns the place seems great. at first i was going to pay with debit and she happened to mention that they had an ancient credit card machine and i remembered that i had cash. when i said that she offered to pay the tax and just charge me an even $ 15.
i’m pretty sure these ladies don’t turn a profit, but that they love what they do. i hope nickelodeon stays around.