i love this place. i love charles. i love the selection. i've gotten odd, super rare stuff here…read morethat i would never find anywhere else. things from africa from the 70s, private press weirdness from all over... the selection of more mainstream records is solid, especially in new inventory. but for me, it's about the consistently interesting, well-priced used stuff (though it's chaotic and catch-as-catch-can). highest recommendation. go go go.

Such an amazing experience here! I was searching for a pretty hard-to-find record for my…read moreboyfriend's birthday, and when I called, they not only confirmed they had it -- they actually held the record for me until I could come pick it up. That meant so much and seriously took the stress out of trying to track it down. When I came in, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. You can tell they genuinely care about music and about making sure customers leave happy. They made the whole experience feel personal instead of just another transaction. If you're looking for something specific (especially a harder-to-find record), this is the place to go. I'm so grateful they held it for me and helped make his birthday special. I'll definitely be back!

Great selection and VERY reasonable prices. Always an array of great old gear coming through as…read morewell. Short hours, but I stop every time I'm passing by and they're open.

The owner was very friendly. I was on vacation in Ohio looking for VHS Tapes, when I originally…read morecalled the store was closed but the owner called me back. While I couldn't find what I was looking for, the experience I had with the owner stands out as one of the best record store experiences I've had yet and I will be sure to visit here the next time I come to Ohio.

Closed early. The guy came outside to put up his sign 10 minutes before 6 and told me they were…read moreclosing. He didn't ask me if he could help me find anything; he just said, "We're closing." Don't shop local, apparently.

I have walked past this shop a million times in Gordon District and had no idea that it was there…read more On this particular day I happened to be aware of my surroundings and noticed it. I walked in and dove into the collection. It was neat and well organized which is perfect if you are flipping through quickly or if you have a specific artist in mind. I always start with the letter J. I am looking for Michael Jackson records first. I surprisingly found the Got to Be there album for a reasonable price. Don't go looking for it because I bought it expeditiously. I also found the Lean on Me soundtrack, Earth Wind & Fire, Boys 2 Men, Isley Brothers, Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dog and Dolly Parton to name a few. There were record players available for sell as well. Tip: Check to see if there is a crate with records near the register. See the link below for a quick visual. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRag7owv/

Not a fan of their hours but so happy to have finally made it here! This place definitely qualifies…read moreas a hidden gem or a less-traveled CLE shop. I could easily spend hours here, and did, last Sunday! What gorgeous decor, layout, vibes and selection they have! Workers were really friendly as well. The prices of books were high though--no discount at all for new books. Fine to support local but this is why the library will still always be my favorite. What I was confused about is how the books are organized because it is not by author nor by used/new. I'm pretty sure new books were placed right next to pre-owned ones on the same shelf... I did enjoy all the gift and merchandise displays. They were all set up in a way that looked irresistible to buy! My BF bought this photography coffee table book he was really excited about and I got a children's novel illustrated by Jon Klassen (big fans!).

Whether you are a book lover or not, there's something for everyone in this wonderful place. Today…read morewas my first time stopping in, and I enjoyed myself so much looking around at all of the books, trinkets and little doodads. The people working there were very knowledgeable and friendly. The book collection alone is incredible. There is multiple room rooms and the sanctuary holds very old and important books and is definitely interesting to look around in. They also have a cute gift shop that has very cool gifts and handmade items as well. Totally a great find if you are looking for something fun to do, or just looking for a few books.

SPRING INTO A GOOD BOOK!…read more The Checkered Shelf Bookshop is a new bookstore that officially opened on the first weekend in April 2026. There were some soft openings in March 2026 that I heard about after the fact. They replaced Appletree bookstore which closed last year (2025). I visited for the first time on the 10th of April 2026. There are a few chairs to sit on as you browse books and the store is bright due to the light coming through from the windows. BOOKS -- I bought 2 books - The Second Chance Convenience Store and 84, Charing Cross Road. They offer a selection of mystery, sci-fi, historical fiction, horror, translated works, children's books, fantasy, etc. They have fiction and non-fiction books. The selections appeared smaller but since they are a new bookstore, I won't be surprised if they start getting more books in store. OTHER ITEMS -- Besides books, they also sell, stationery (pens, notebooks, etc), journals, bookmarks, candles, mugs, and numerous other items that are great for gifts. SERVICE -- I visited on opening day, on Friday, April 10th in the evening and I met the owner immediately upon walking inside. She was friendly and explained the layout of the bookstore. PARKING -- There is a free parking lot behind the bookstore. I can't wait to visit the Checkered Shelf Bookshop again when I'm in the Cleveland Heights neighbourhood. **** GOAL of 250 reviews in 2026 - 21/250 total reviews in 2026 - 862 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 13 April 2026

This is a very nice place, with good people, good prices, and a fairly good selection. They just…read moremoved to the former Shore Carpet location, which is more visible than their last location, evident from the fact that I've driven down 185th hundreds of times and didn't know they existed until a few days ago. When I saw their new sign I had to stop in. I'm all about supporting local businesses and bringing North Collinwood back, so this is definitely my new go-to stop for video game needs.

Highly professional, and customer service-oriented!…read more I went in for a lens cleaning, but was surprised to see the full scope of services offered. Digital preservation of film and photos, repair on cameras, computers, and older equipment like VCRs. This humble location offers great services. Shop local!

Dropped off a camera to replace capacitors, waited weeks and after a month had tried to call. No…read moreresponse multiple times. Probably stole the camera and parted it out.

Great place to shop at. I got spectrum Internet with 1 free cellphone line for a whole year. This…read moreplace carries everything you can think of from beauty products to clothing, wireless phones and the customer service is beyond expectations