Rediscover Records

I love this place! We make it a point to stop in every weekend if possible! So many musical treasures to be found! The owner is super knowledgeable and extremely cool. Prices are reasonable and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon!

If you are a vinyl fan or just a music fan in general, Rediscover Records is a must visit destination in downtown Elgin, IL! Rich, the owner and proprietor is super knowledgeable and passionate about the business. I have been very happy with the selection of vinyl in the store and have found some great «buried treasures».

Great selections of vinyl, all the new releases, and the dollar bins are a treasure hunt. The owner and staff are great fun, and there are nights where bands just stop over to play. This shop is a must see in town.

This is a review of the vinyl records selection at this store only…
Rediscover Records, along with Purple Dog Records in Naperville and Mile Long Records in Wheaton, represent a new batch of record stores that have opened up in the Western suburbs within the last few years. This «new crop» is interesting, as they are opening in locations where stores might have not been found in the past (typically the down town areas of their respective towns), and they are focusing much more heavily on stocking LPs rather than CDs. In most cases, the stores also offer other services, such as turntable repair, cartridge sales, or special ordering of LPs, which makes them like some of the stores they’ve replaced that used to service these areas at one time (e.g., Remember When, Threshold, Record Swap, etc.)
On the whole, it’s good for the record buyer that these places have turned up, as there is now more choice of shopping possibilities for LP buyers in the Western and Northwestern suburbs now than there has been in some time. This is especially true when one also combines the various Half Price Books locations that have been springing up the last 5 years or so, 2^nd and Charles in Naperville, and older stores that are «still around» like Kiss the Sky in Batavia, Algonquin Records in Des Plaines, and Rainbow Records in Barrington.
Turning specifically to one of the stores from this set for this review – Rediscover Records – there are both some pros and some cons to this shop I will now discuss…
Although the guy that runs the place is very nice and the selection of rock, pop, jazz, and metal is pretty good, the used LPs here tend to be overpriced. In some cases, quite a bit so, particularly with albums the owner deems «collectable.»
I put «collectable» in quotes because often times, these albums really are not – for instance, stuff by Dylan, Hendrix, or Springsteen, and US Pressings of Bowie, Floyd, and Stones stuff, can actually be found pretty easily, and in good condition, at affordable prices, if one is patient enough. What makes it collectable is that it is expected than fans of these groups will want the album when they find it and probably don’t want to wait. Hence they will pay more for them. This also explains why the albums often sell for higher than they should on Ebay, a second factor which encourages stores like this to charge more for these kinds of LPs, as Ebay prices seem to influence decisions.
How much of an issue is it? The prices here for these kinds of collectable LPs tend to be 2 (occasionally 3) times that I’d find at other stores located throughout the Chicagoland area more generally.*
For non-​collectable LPs, the prices are more in line with other stores in the area. However, the selection has been less strong on the occasions I’ve shopped here versus other stores in the general western suburban marketplace, like the Bloomingdale and Palatine Half Price Books, Mile Long Records in Wheaton, or 2^nd and Charles in Naperville.
For new LPs, the prices are good, but here again, the selection is not all that much different than other places in the same general area – again, the Half Price Books locations, Mile Long, 2^nd and Charles, or Purple Dog (also in Naperville).
Thus, to sum up…
Rediscover gets a lower average rating (overall versus the other 50 stores I’ve reviewed) – there isn’t a lot that distinguishes them from the other places in the area in terms of selection, and prices can be hit or miss. In particular, collectables tend to be priced higher versus other places in the Chicagoland area (Half Price Books, 2^nd & Charles in the «further out» suburbs, Oak Park Records and Old School Records in the closer suburbs, Reckless or Dusty Groove in Chicago itself), although the extent to which that’s the case can vary. On the plus side, prices are better and more in line with other stores on new LPs, and the owner is a nice guy who I hear is very willing to accommodate special orders.
Overall, then, if pricing on used LPs is something you are concerned about when you shop for used vinyl, you might be safer sticking to other nearby stores in the suburbs, like Half Price Books in Bloomingdale or Palatine, and 2^nd and Charles in Naperville. If you are looking for deeper catalog selections, Mile Long in Wheaton is actually probably the better place to go. However, if you are looking for new stuff at reasonable prices, Rediscover will do just fine for your needs.
(*Note: See my reviews for an understanding of the background I am bringing to these comparisons. I have reviewed 50 suburban and Chicago record stores or stores with a focus on selling records throughout that area.)

Love this place! The owner really caters to your interest. There is a wide selection. They also have bands play here. It isn’t hipster, no one looks down on you if you aren’t into the right stuff. Everyone has been so helpful and amazing here. I love this place. I would live here if I could.

Easily the best rekkid store outside of Chicago with a way groovier owner, plus you get to experience Elgin culture and smells. Sure they may not have that rare «Replacements» 7″ you spilled coffee on and want to replace, but they have always had what i’m looking for, and whenever wasn’t in stock, special ordering is very hassle free. Best overall selection for treasure hunting thru dollar bins, very reasonable & competitive pricing, and super friendly & knowledgeable staff of audiophiles.

I’ve been there a half dozen times and it’s a very clean, organized place, especially at the new location. The owner Rich is a great guy and very involved in social media, so you feel like you know him without having met him. He’s super helpful and knowledgeable.
The inventory is below average for a record store, that is, not as much quantity. Now in a new location I think there’s room to add more. They also can order you any new vinyl. Very accommodating.