Everybody's Records has been around since the mid-70s and I've been a regular shopper there since about 1993. I can honestly say it's one of the best independent record stores left in the country. I've spent a lot of time visiting the stores in Chicago, Seattle, and Boston, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Everybody's is on par with the best that can be found in those cooler towns.
SELECTION: One of the best things about Everybody's Records is that they truly live up to their name. They have a wide selection of new and used music across many different genres. Sure, their rock/pop section is impressive, but they also carry an extensive stock of jazz, hip hop, reggae, blues, punk, and local releases. The store specializes in CDs and vinyl, but they also carry shirts, books, magazines, and even a few cassette tapes.
PRICE: Of course, an impressive selection is worthless if the prices aren't right. I've found that Everybody's is usually at least a dollar cheaper than Shake It Records, their competition over in Northside. I've been known to drive from one store to the other to comparison shop and I've typically found that to be the case.
EMPLOYEES: Another major positive about Everybody's is that their employees don't have the hipper-than-thou attitude that often plagues those who work in indie music stores. The employees at Everybody's are nice, helpful people who won't judge you based on your musical tastes. You can go in there and buy Radiohead, Thelonious Monk, or Barry Manilow and not feel like you're being judged.
If you live in Cincinnati, you owe it to yourself to support the fine people at Everybody's Records. Cincinnati without Everybody's would be a nightmare.* If you're just in town for a visit, I'd highly recommend stopping by Everybody's if you have some extra time. I'm sure you'll enjoy the trip and find something worth buying.
(* = I actually had a dream once that Everybody's turned into a grocery store. I woke up in cold shivers.)
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