Grails is a record shop and cultural music emporium that opened in New Haven, Connecticut in October 2025. It was founded by King Kenney. The arts advocate previously worked as a music journalist, DJ, painter, and marketing executive for Long Wharf Theatre. Kenney, who has a personal record collection of about 10,000 titles, had an idea to open a record store that emphasizes the wonder that comes along with discovering vinyl records. The shop offers a wide variety of different genres that can appeal to the most particular of music enthusiasts. Grails is a space where music, culture, and connection thrive.
I recently stopped at Grails with my older son while we were both in downtown New Haven. I had read about the shop's grand opening in a local publication a few months back, and was looking for an excuse to stop in. The opening of Grails marks the first time that downtown New Haven has had a record shop since Cutler's Records closed in 2012 after 64 years of business. Grails seemed like a really chill place. More than a record shop, it seems like a place where anyone can just stop in talk about music all day. In addition to vinyl records, Grails also sells cassette tapes, turntables and stereo systems, apparel, and other various music merchandise. One thing you absolutely won't find are CDs, which Kenney is adamant about not selling. After looking over the record bins, I finally picked out a 50th anniversary edition reissue of Queen's classic album "A Night at the Opera" to add to my record collection. I'm sure that I'll enjoy spinning it on my turntable. It's nice to final have a record shop back in the Elm City. I hope to be back again and again! read more