It's All About Digging: Indie Shops Offer Vintage Vinyl, Rare Releases On Record Store Day

If you're a dedicated phonophile, then “Christmas” is coming Saturday, April 18, when the 19th annual Record Store Day is celebrated around the globe. Record Store Day extols the vanishing record shops, hallowed grounds that once flourished in malls, downtown shopping districts, and storefronts during the pre-digital and streaming age.

More than 1,400 independently owned record stores in the United States and thousands of similar stores internationally will come together and celebrate the unique culture of the record store and the special role they play in their communities.

Crate diggers will find new releases by Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant (“Saving Grace, All That Glitters”), Sir Elton John (limited-edition, glow-in-the-dark remixes), Taylor Swift (“Elizabeth Taylor”), Bruno Mars (collaborations), Iron Maiden, Teenage Bottlerocket, Lady Gaga, Gloria Jones, John Lee Hooker, Dizzy Gillespie and many more. Over 300 titles make up the famed RSD list. View the full RSD 2026 list and a list of participating Illinois record stores.

Local record shops will be carrying vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products made exclusively for the day. In addition, other store inventory will be marked down.

Some local record shops keeping vinyl alive in 2026 include:

Beverly Records, 11612 S. Western Ave. (116th Street and Western). Chicago

The longest-running record shop in Chicago, Beverly Records, claims a collection in the tens of thousands. People start lining up early outside Beverly Records on Record Store Day, waiting for the store’s doors to open at 8 a.m.

“Our rush is over by 9 a.m.,” Jack Dreznes said, who co-owns the 59-year-old record shop with his brother, Randy. “Then it’s steady all day.”

For the past several months, the Dreznes bros (and son) have been asking their legion of loyal patrons what titles from the 2026 they’d like to see Beverly Records stock for the big day. Vinyl aficionados will find Alice Cooper, Bruno Mars, John Prine, Lucy Dacas, Gabby’s Playhouse, Taylor Swift and Cream, to name a few.

RSD releases are one per customer on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year, Beverly Records is offering its annual limited edition RSD 2026 T-shirt that turns the city into a crate digger’s transit system map. Shops past and present become stops along the lines, with one final destination.

If you’ve ever spent time flipping through bins, you’ll recognize names. Some stores are still here; others are just a memory. The shirts are printed front and back in a one-color vintage style that’ll break in just right. The shirts are $18.95, free with a purchase of $100 or more.

Used store vinyl will also be 20 percent off. You can also rent a bunny costume.

Beverly Phono Mart/BPM Express, 1802 W. 103rd St., Chicago

This year the husband-and-wife shop owners—Mallory McClaire and Chantala Kommanivanh—are navigating RSD 2026 two doors down from their original location after a car plowed into it on New Year’s Day.

BPM Express will be open for Record Store Day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beverly Phono Mart will be offering over 100 RSD exclusive releases. Shoppers can also sift through a wide variety of vinyl.

Vinyl aficionados will find 100-plus selections from the RSD list, including 13th Floor Elevators, Art of Noise, Bruno Mars, Grateful Dead, The Cars, Taylor Swift, Kiss, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, Tony Bennett and Cream, among others.

Used inventory is 15 percent off, and BPM merchandise is 20 percent off.

The Record Shop on 95th Street, 3576 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park

Mayor Kelly Burke has officially proclaimed Saturday “Record Store Day” in Evergreen Park.

The line is anticipated to start forming at 4 a.m. (not sooner) before doors open at 7 a.m. (line up toward Clifton Park). Crate diggers can park for free in the old Kenny Funeral Home parking lot at 95th Street and Central Park Avenue, or in the Most Holy Redeemer Church parking lot at 95th Street and Millard Avenue (at the traffic light).

>>> The Record Shop On 95th Brings Vinyl Revival To Evergreen Park

Owner Jessica Law, and her husband, Jeff Law, were applying the finishing touches on a special RSD collage for the front window. They will be carrying RSD exclusive releases, as well as giveaways and refreshments from the local Dunkin’ on Pulaski for morning coffee and Pete’s Market and Palermo’s in the afternoon.

The Record Shop on 95th Street will be carrying RSD exclusives and new, non-RSD releases on the floor, plus tons of vintage vinyl. The shop is set up by price point.

“We’ve lost count of everything,” Jeff said.

Be nice and have a good time. The store attracts all ages, from boomers to zennials.

“Saturday is all about having a good time and supporting local record shops,” Jessica said. “It’s all about the digging.”

Long Live Vinyl Records, 12916 S. LaGrange Road, Palos Park

While the store is not participating in Record Store Day this year, Long Live Vinyl is worth a visit during your RSD rounds on Saturday, especially to check out the grail.

>>> Flashbacks And New Experiences Found At Long, Live Vinyl Records

Long Live Vinyl is a buy-sell-trade store. The shop carries smooth grooves of all genres, which can be sold for cash or traded for store credit. Rare records of greater value are placed above the bins in what Keysboe refers to as the “grail wall.”

The store’s regular Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.