Record & Tape Traders Closing In Towson

TOWSON, MD — Record & Tape traders is ending its decades-long run. The music store that buys and sells music and movies will be shuttering for good around Christmas.

"We are very sad to announce that after 40 years of business, Record & Tape Traders will be shutting down," the business posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, Nov. 1. "We start the liquidation process today and will continue to remain open through Christmas with heavily discounted sales."

Kevin Stander and Steve Smolen began the business in 1987 in Towson with $4,000 and their own record collections and LPs, according to the Coalition of Independent Music Stores.

The company grew from the flagship store in Dulaney Valley Shopping Center to include locations in Catonsville, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Reisterstown, Severna Park and Westminster.

"We would like to thank our customers for their loyalty over the years, and we look forward to seeing you over the next few weeks," the business posted on its Facebook page. "Please come visit us and help us say farewell."

Record & Tape Traders closed various locations over the years. In particular, the year that the owners announced they were selling the business to Value Music, in 2007, the Annapolis, Bel Air, Charles Village and Owings Mills store closed, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Since the Record & Tape Traders empire began in Towson, it is fitting that Dulaney Valley Shopping Center was home to the last store standing.

Record & Tape Traders is located at 736 Dulaney Valley Road in Towson.

Photo via Google street view.