Can't speak to the "Vintage" section, but great selection of records. Lots of used and new. Don't…read moreknow they will have that super obscure thing you are looking for, but they did have several good titles from your mainstream guys that you don't always see elesehweee. Semi obscure maybe? Owner / worker was friendly and helpful.

Huge fan of K Solo. My family was walking around downtown highland park and randomly stopped in one…read moreday. The owner Kevin is super nice. He's got a great selection of records and will order things he doesn't have. Also really nice selection of vintage clothes. And often has live music too. We need more of these community driven stores in HP

We walked in and met Jim who is the most knowledgeable owner we have ever met. He has imports and…read morerarities and many one-of-a-kind albums and singles and EPs - new and used - and there are LPs and 45s and CDs and even a great selection of $1 CDs!

This place is like a throwback to REAL record stores. Used records are a great price, there are…read moresome freebies, and the new records are priced as new. The owner himself Jim is a character and worth going to this place alone as he's an encyclopedia of music knowledge to connect the dots for you. I might start collecting some Buddy Guy based on his recommendation starting with Buddy's live concert at his restaurant Buddy Guy's Legends

Alot to dig through, not on a budget for sure so the Barrington nites better get them deep pockets…read moreout! Expensive here overall for things you'd dig for at most other record stores, yet it's still okay to peruse and decent to see. Nothing really nearby though in this area

Great service. I picked up some first pressing of old Jazz albums. The person asked if unwanted…read moreto listen to them first. I didn't have time. He indicated if I had problems to bring them back. I will come back for sure.

I finally went here a few weekends ago, after wanting for ages to visit this store. Honestly this…read morestore was SO GREAT to browse, that I wish I had visited here sooner. And the prices are really great, as well. The owner(I forget his name) was really awesome to talk to, and explained a lot about the store to me. Including the record/band/artist reference book in the front, where those artist/band and album name books used to be periodically mailed out to his record store and other stores, by a certain company. Though from what he told me, that company stopped producing those reference books by the early 2000s, sadly to say. The unfortunate thing is that too many other Chicago record stores seem a little overpriced IMO for their used records, such as for example Rattleback Records in Andersonville(Chicago) and Rediscover Records(Elgin). I'm glad this store wasn't like that for being overpriced for used records, and actually OTOH was pretty affordable. Their prices for used CDs, DVDs, and tapes was decent, as well. Yes no doubt for some people this store may be slightly out of the way. But I'd say for darn sure if you do like browsing in a record store, you should visit here at least once in your life! I do like how the inside of this store still felt pretty old school in its inside look, as well. And probably little changed, from when(I think) it first opened in the 1970s.

the person who answered the phone barely knew the value of anything or the price they would buy it…read moreat even tho i explained it complete utter waist of my time don't even call this place

Spent a lifetime in the world of vinyl and I can definitively say Squeezebox knows what they are…read moredoing. From variety to quality to customer service, they tick all the boxes above and beyond.

This place is a gem. I came in with some CD's to shed and they were so helpful. I wandered through…read morethe store for a few minutes as they went through my box. They have a lot of albums and CD's. It's well organized and the staff are everywhere but not intrusive or nosy. There if you want to ask a question. Not to try to get you to buy something. After a few minutes they paid me and I took the remaining CD's to Goodwill. They also buy used books. Super great to have in the neighborhood.

What a record experience and STORE should be like. The staff ENGAGE WITH CUSTOMERS, which actually…read moreguides sales. Any questions were answered, no weird "why is this person asking questions" vibes from the workers as the seems to be a trend nowadays where people don't think people will ask them questions at their job. They have a HUGE downstairs of somewhat cutout section prices, really $3 and up, but $10 for 3. Plus they have a turntable downstairs to cue up. Upstairs lots of inventory also, even lots of stuff outside. Just a diggers wet dream here. I got into Alchemist vibes here finding some Spanish singers records for the first time, now to collect. Elio Roca, Nelson Ned, and other rare artists like Pacific Gas and Electric. Now more stuff to collect! My specialty.

I had a great experience shopping at Animal Records recently while visiting Evanston. I stopped by…read moreshortly after closing, and the owner Greg said "come in, as long as I'm here you can come in" even though it was after six. He was working on the window display. He found a Leon Russell "Hank Wilson's Back" vinyl album I had been looking for that was somehow in the country section! He knows his music, and turned me on to a CD collection that they bought with all kinds of great discs for reasonable prices. If you want to listen to a record or CD they can play them for you. The doggie Pogo is super friendly and they have treats to give him. I will be back for sure next time I am in town, so glad Evanston has a great record store again, it was sad after 2nd Hand Tunes closed. I also met Mary, Niko and Neil and they are all great folks!

Was so happy to be able to shop here on the Global "RECORD STORE DAY"…read more With legendary knowledge of a multiple upper degree level holder in Music behind the counter, you have vinyl wisdom on hand (on site). Just Tell them what you are interested in, or what your favorite family member likes or is into, .., and they will serve you up proper. When I interview the owner of Vintage Vinyl Records live on Frequency Modulation Broadcast to be transcribed latter for publication in a music magazine and possible as well a local midwest print magazine, this is one of the off the cuff questions I shall ask him after he settles in and is comfortable in the LIVE MIC situation, "So Steve, quit playing around formal for one 'Cool Pink Jacket' question for me. You and your spot "Vintage Vinyl Records" has an amazing musical prior to cutting edge progressive musical historical important location for me and many others for well over (3) three decades, well over (30) thirty years. In Your and 'Vintage Vinyl Records' history was there ever a night, knight, nite; where you opened up vintage vinyl records as a little after-party for anything? (Concert, radio show, gig, date, ....)

Prices were quite expensive and the guy pointed me to an area that was off limits just to tell me…read moreit's off limits?! Wouldn't you know if your own area of your own store was closed down? Weird. Whatever, there are many other record stores out there and much better ones at that.

I can't speak to the in-store experience, but based on my online order, I would not recommend…read moreordering online. I placed an order in April for a record that was listed as in stock. After I ordered, I was informed there were inventory and distributor delays. I was patient, appreciated the updates I received, and agreed to wait until July 1 based on the timeline I was given. After that date passed, I followed up multiple times and went nearly 12 days without a response. I eventually sent a final message saying I would dispute the charge if I did not receive an update or refund. The refund was processed within minutes, which I appreciated, but it was frustrating because it showed that communication could have happened much sooner. To be clear, my issue is not that an unexpected family emergency occurred. I completely understand that emergencies happen. My issue is the lack of communication with customers who had already paid for orders. What was most frustrating was being told afterward that I would have seen updates if I had checked the store's social media. I placed my order through the website and communicated through email. Customers should not be expected to monitor social media to find out why their emails are going unanswered or why an order has not been fulfilled. A simple automated email response or direct update would have gone a long way. I also found that response dismissive because it placed the responsibility on the customer rather than acknowledging the communication gap. I understand that small businesses face challenges, but customers still deserve clear communication and timely responses. The refund was ultimately issued, but the overall online ordering experience was frustrating and could have been handled much better. Again, I can't comment on the in-store experience, but based on my online order experience, I would not recommend ordering online.

Placed an order Jan 2025. Have not recieved item or a refund. They sent digital proof the refund…read morefailed on their end, and now ghosted me. They steal your money and ignore you. Absolutely disgusting they feel the need as a business to RIP OFF customers. They have had every opportunity to correct it. Zero starts if possible. You've been warned.

While I'm glad the location is still up and running I felt everything was super outdated and not a…read moregood selection. Prices seemed all over the place . I am not a major collector but there wasn't a single record I wanted to buy for my collection

I heard about this record store while listening to talk record on WRMN 1410AM in Elgin, Illinois so…read moreI decided to stop by and check it out. It's a hidden gem of a store for film buffs and memorabilia collectors like myself. I was specifically looking for film soundtrack albums and the man ( I assume it's the owner) was very helpful in showing me exactly where these albums were located. It's a small store but I highly suggest visiting here, if are a serious vinyl collector or just looking looking for an unusual gift. Good stuff...Five stars.

This is the book store I always wished had been at this location! Prior to Secret World Books…read moreopening up here, it was a religious reading room. The space was so nice looking, and they had this adorable little garden in the back that I had only gotten glimpses of for years (like as far back as the 1990s) - but it didn't cater to my tastes and beliefs, so I never really visited there. Secret World Books recently occupied the space, and turned it into everything I love about small independently owned book nooks, which makes me so happy! They have a nicely-curated collection of books. Such a small shop obviously cannot compare to major book stores in sheer volume, but runs laps around them when it comes to style and vibe (sorry, I'm probably gonna say 'vibe' a lot here, please bear with). If you want books from local authors, if you want well-loved hidden gems that maybe missed the "[Insert Celebrity Name] Book Club™®©" spotlight, if you want to find some gently-read books with character unique to used books, if you're looking for some retro magazines, if you like comic books / graphic novels, if you're into tabletop RPGs, if you want books catering to out-of-the-box thinkers, and might enjoy an inviting safe space for people of all walks of life... Yeah, this just might be your place. And if you DO want the latest greatest manufactured-viral or pop culture hit, the Secret World staff can still get it for you, and seem chill about it. Hey, sometimes I just wanna read the latest entry in a best-selling megacorporation-owned franchise, without being judged... It's all good. Just go to the front and ask them to get a copy for you; easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Just maybe also consider looking behind the counter at their collection of books from local and lesser-known authors, who might have something that'll pull you in. It's so tough for local artists, crafters, writers, and other creative individuals go get traction; IMO, it's always bodacious when you put a little effort into checking 'em out, and generate some word-of-mouth magic to help them advance their message and/or skills. You might even just run into an author you know. They recently had some poets reading from their works, including Katana Smith and Highland Park's own poet laureate Laura Joyce-Hubbard. This weekend they'll have authors Jenna Satterwaite and Beth Kander. Seems like this is a somewhat common occurrence here... Pretty cool, huh? Oh, man, and the atmosphere here is sooo... I dunno, my ADHD want to say "cozy" and "crunchy" at the same time. "Crunchozy?" Thanks, wacky-internal-monologue-voice! Secret World feels nice and chill, but still filled with positive lively vibes. It's physically just comfortable, too. They have some comfy seats and a tea station that adds to the vibe, plus a gorgeous view of their secret garden. Dude, they even call it the "Secret Garden," which - funny(ish) personal story - I've been calling it for years. Literally, for decades, I had known there was a cool little secluded garden back there; but it's completely walled in, so I could only catch fleeting glimpses. I had a running head-canon that I would unlock an Elder Scrolls-esque mission there someday. I finally got to see it in person, and it's even cooler now! No RPG mission yet, but I'll be back to see what the zen racoon has to say. Okay, sorry, I've babbled on enough. Secret World Books book store: Cool place. Nice books. Friendly peeps. Comfy vibe. They spread the word on exercising your 5th amendment rights. They have complementary hot tea. Plenty of free street parking, near some 2-hour-free public parking lots. Neighbors to Curt's Café. Yeah, pretty awesome. Books; check 'em out!

This place is great! I was able to find a cool board game for a party. I also found some cool…read morecomics here as well!