Groove City: Where to Find Vinyl Records in Greater Grand Forks

I’m old enough to remember my parents having 78 RPM records (yes, 78s) of hits such as Ernest Tubb’s “Walking the Floor Over You”and “How Much is That Doggie in the Window?” by Patti Page. Spinning at near lightning speed, they were as fragile as glass–drop one and it’s done.

Time passes. When 33 1/3 LP (long play) records came around (no pun intended), it was something of a miracle. All that music on one disc! Beautiful cover and centerfold artwork and extensive liner notes. The inevitable crackle and pop that comes with age could be blissfully ignored. So too the unwanted repetitive loop when the needle gets stuck in a record’s groove.

Then–too soon for me–along came compact discs. Another miracle! Even more music on an even smaller disc. Clearly they had their advantages. Still do. Not the least of which was that they were nearly indestructible. And, like cassette tapes, eventually they could be played in cars!

My current wife Ginny and I have toyed with just about every music format the industry has been able to throw at us. We’ve also downloaded our share of music, and I don’t think we could live without our Sirius XM in about every room of our home and in our cars. But somehow some of us never got over dropping a needle on a 12-inch vinyl LP. I carted boxes of them from my hometown to college in Grand Forks and back home again. Then to jobs in Georgia, Mayville, Bismarck, and finally back to Grand Forks. Only during a fairly extensive home remodel was I forced to pair down my collection of hundreds of pieces of vinyl, sadly, by about HALF! Oh, the humanity!

Today vinyl is back in a pretty big way. It may surprise you that new music is being released on vinyl weekly. But, expect to pay more collector’s prices for it than way back when. In the Greater Grand Forks region, there are several cool “record shops” still selling used and new LPs. And a few others places, if you search for them.

Budget Music is the oldest record store in the Grand Forks area. Most of the store’s vintage and new vinyl, probably thousands of records, is displayed together on the store’s shelves. Budget has at least as many CDs for sale as well. The store’s huge display of autographed music posters and albums covers is worth a visit in itself. They’re also always looking to buy CDs and LPs if you’re looking to sell!

Budget Music is located at 714 S Washington Street in Grand Forks.

Recognized as one of the Six Best Record Stores in North Dakota, Ojata (Oh-hot-ta) Records is named for a long ago, and long gone, entertainment and nightlife district 9 miles west of Grand Forks. Ojata Records has a huge selection of LPs, and just about every other music format, as well as other cool stuff like vintage comic books, video games, audio and music gear. Uniquely, Ojata hosts in-store shows and parties in its small live performance space. Side note (get it?): Ojata Records shares space with DogMahal DogHaus, which is widely regarded as home to the best hot dogs in Grand Forks.

Ojata Records is at 305 North Washington Street in Grand Forks.

Across the river in East Grand Forks is Garage Sale Treasures. There, you’ll find vintage vinyl and a little bit of a lot else, including, but not limited to CDs, comics, even vintage model cars and toys. At least part of the fun is in the hunt. Plan on spending an hour, end up spending two. You’ll be richly rewarded with bargain basement prices, too.

Find Garage Sale Treasures at 910 Central Avenue Northwest in East Grand Forks.

Some of the “big box” stores in Grand Forks carry a limited number of vinyl records. Both Target and Walmart have a few LPs, and even fewer CDs. At each store, the selection is almost evenly split between current albums like those by Taylor, Dolly, and Ariana, and veterans like the Beatles and Queen. Also, those artists whose music just goes on and on like Elton, Bruce, and Prince. Again, you’re looking at full-price options here; up to $30 for an LP, and sometimes much more!

Then there are the private collectors like Barry Branvold who ran Collector’s Corner in Grand Forks many years, and Jerry Braaten, whose summertime garage sales in Grand Forks ought to be world-famous. Both are known for their great deal-cutting, and both are good guys. Both can be tracked down on Facebook, or Meta, their online storefronts, or whatever it is!

Barry’s eBay storefront can be found here.

On a personal note, I’m proud to say that in my “research” for this article I was able to muster enough willpower to resist even a single personal purchase. I’m lying. I had to have a “new” Count Basie, didn’t I? Price: $1.99.