Record and Tape Traders has become a Baltimore classic—I remember them from my teenage years, when they were still relatively new, as the record store where you could buy quirky, non-mainstream records (and they were still records at that point) for almost no money. They’ve now expanded to several locations in the Baltimore area and I’m lucky enough to live within walking distance of one. It was the one local store where my teenage stepson, my husband, and myself—all with wildly different musical tastes—could find something to suit ourselves and kill some time. They are still the store of choice for quirky, non-mainstream music (fortunately now on CD) as well as a large selection of popular music as well, although don’t expect to find much of anything at all in the way of world music or classical music. Anytime you go, you’ll find something new because they aren’t just stocking what’s selling well nationally. The prices aren’t quite as cheap as they once were, but they are certainly better than you’ll find at even discount chains.
more