One of my favorite music stores in the area given it massive selection and affordable pricing. I'm a CD guy, so this place still gives a lot of space to that medium but also gives plenty of room to vinyl records. They did the same thing when vinyl was not in vogue, so I appreciate that Mystery Train doesn't feel the need to drastically alter their landscape based on trends like some other music stores. For CDs, I have found that the prices have remained consistently affordable. It's usually $5-7 for used CDs and the genre sections are very deep, so one is bound to find something recognizable as well as obscure. There are also plenty of $1 bin options (especially more so these days) for those who don't want to spend a whole lot for music. They've also got some very solid box sets for $20+ which I have a weakness for as the quirky packaging always gets me. I have always found the staff at Mystery Train to be very laid back and knowledgeable, and I often see them answering any question without a trace of disdain or snootiness. They have also been known to get out from behind the desk and go find things for people. Whether you're looking for something mainstream or way offstream, definitely stop by Mystery Train if you're in the Gloucester area. read more

Called in advance to try to see if they had what I was looking for, the person hung up on me halfway. Once I called back I asked for what I was looking for, upon arrival it was nothing of what I described to him. To even get him to open the doors I had to go upstairs as he wouldn't pick up the phone. Didn't say "hello" back when I walked in. Terrible experience, do not recommend. read more

Huge selection of CDs and everything there has low prices. I go there to see what cassettes or CDs they have. I enjoy shopping there.

Excellent shop! Always warrants return visits to new "old"arrivals. Helpful, knowledgeable staff and great selection.

This was a really cool record shop with lots of older records. Most of them were pre-1980s Jazz, Rock, Soul, and Classical music. Records were very reasonably priced. If you're looking for newer stuff, you're not gonna find a ton! They have a pretty decent collection of $1 records (I even snagged a pretty rare Jimi Hendrix one) but they are in rough shape. The covers are usually in disrepair and the records themselves have that crackling/popping sound-- I generally don't mind that sound on older records. None of mine had issues with skipping. This is a crate digger paradise. Lots and lots of cool records without the pretentious crowd! read more

Well organized record store. Seriously lacking HIPHOP/RAP selections but there was some there and it was gold. The store has an amazing selection of $1 dvds too. Very large backwall vinyl section for free vinyls. Not organized so you have to dig for stuff you like. I found 2 in 10 minutes. Very helpful staff to point you in the right direction. read more

Love this place so much it hurts. Fairly priced. Thoughtfully stocked. You know they know. And you know they don't try to snow you. I love and respect all within these four walls. And always look forward to spending hours and $ here. My favorite "solo date" place. read more

The most diverse and well-stacked records store I've been to in a long time. It was filled with music and recordings from any artist and any era you can think of. There is also a free records and dvd shelf outside the store where you can find little hidden gems or cool artwork album covers. Great place to explore on Main Street. read more

Mystery Train - Inside of store - Music & DVDs Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Damn, this place is HUGE. I could easily spend my whole stimulus check here :-) Bring your want lists. Bring lists of what you already have so that you don't end up buying duplicates. And prepared to spend a lot of time looking through all those bins during your visit, especially if you're not from the immediate Gloucester area. Prices are reasonable, too. read more

First off, it's a nice looking record store, with quite the selection. I don't feel right giving it 3 stars but keep reading below, and you'll understand why. Thanks to covid, I'm forced to sell my records Anyways, so majority of my collection is 2004-2010 UK bass music (DMZ, Loefah, Youngsta, Hatcha)--iykyk, with a touch of some 90s hiphop. So after about 10mins the guy comes over, and says "I don't really know any over these, I can offer you 60-70$" ...... I really wasn't too upset, knowing this genre wasn't mainstream and was originated underground. But my guy....., Biggies Ready to Die 25th anniversary edition was in there. Along with, Enter the Wutang 36Chambers, annnndd Kendricks Good Kid M.a.a.d City. .....60-70$? Really? 60-70$ ain't enough for just 1 of those I just listed, nevermind those, and 100 other O.G dubplates. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, the rock genre ain't the only thing on wax these days, and hasn't been for a while now. Guess I'll go sell em on discogs. ‍ read more

very cool shop! a must-see/visit along the main street in gloucester imo. the staff here are nice and the selection is extensive.

I love the mystery train. The Mystery Train is probably one of the best treasure hunting places of all time. Black Beard himself probably didn't stash as much treasure as what's hidden amongst the walls of goodies inside the Train. I've been a frequent visitor of the Mystery Train for a few years now and have found nothing but a massive amount of high quality hard to find pressings. If you're into vinyl and have a few hours to spare head on over to the Train (Trust me, you'll need a few hours). I could easily spend all day sifting through the records in the store. While they have a lot of organized records split up into genre and artist, there's a large quantity of completely unsorted records along the back wall of the store and underneath the organized stuff. This is where the X marks the spot. I've managed to get my paws on some records that I've NEVER seen anywhere else, whether in other stores or even on ebay. If you've got the patience, go to the Train and good things will come. Guaranteed you will cross off some of those discs on the list of the records you've been searching for for a while. If it's not priced, bring it up to the counter and the owner (Who's pretty much the man) will lay it on you - a reasonable price that is. I can't even recall the number of records I've brought to the counter expecting to be fairly expensive and they end up being $4.50 or $6.50. With all these deals to be had (in addition to all the lowly priced records that are organized) you best lower your anchor, put on your best eye patch and start digging - cause there's loads of booty waiting to be discovered inside the treasure chest we all know and love as the Mystery Train. read more

It's high time for this place to lose a star. 25/25? That's crazy talk. And I'm not just breaking up Mystery Train's perfect score to be a bastard (although that's certainly part of my motivation). No sir. It downsized considerably when it moved to Main Street's West End from the location it took over from the Salvation Army some years before. For anyone that fondly remembered that incarnation, the new digs are a huge step in the wrong direction. Otherwise, Mystery Train is a solid place (the only one of it's kind in Gloucester) for vintage media. Lots of vinyl treasures and random collectibles. The staff -- mostly hipsters outcast from a local high school packed to the gills with quintessential yahdoods -- is extremely enthusiastic about their work and does a pretty good job of maintaining organized shelves and drawers. It's not the place to go if you have something specific in mind but always worth a visit just to browse and explore. read more

I wish there were more places like this to buy used recordings! Most of the place is pop music, but there's a pretty good jazz selection and a decent classical collection also. Like any record store you could spend hours here, and you probably won't find exactly what you're looking for but you'll be seduced by the treasures they do have. We didn't want or need anything and left after an hour with 5 CDs, two pop, three classical. Most of the place is CDs but there is a good selection of vinyl; in the back there are even 7-inch singles!!!! read more

Simply put, this is the greatest record store I've ever been in. It's got a huge selection that is half organized half not. One thing I appreciate in a record store is digging through a ton of LPs until you come across that one you're looking for - the feeling of triumph is rarely matched ;). Another necessity of a good record store is a varied and solid play list coming over the soundsystem while you're shopping. Preferably you'll get some funk, punk, Stones and some newer rock. Mystery train matches it almost to a T, and that sealed the deal :) read more

Mystery train has got it goin' ON. If you are a vinyl junkie, a rampant used CD collector, have a lonely tape deck waiting for some tunes in your mom's '85 station wagon, if you're a quirky collector of vintage items, into books, sci fi, anime, collectibles, posters, whatever, you belong in this store, and you may never leave. There are more records than you could paw through if you spent days in there. The disorganization of some of it may give you an anxiety attack, but a great deal of the records are neatly categorized and alphabetized and whatnot. There are always some funky associates willing to help you (and I mean that in the cool, non-smelly way. Though they may smell, who knows) and you can sample cds in players or records on in-house turntables and headphones before you buy (though if you're a bigtime audiophile afraid of poor quality stylus damage and such, you may be better off taking a peek at the record and buying it without playing it). So get your retro emo ass into Mystery Train and take a ride to vinyl town. read more

Perfection in a record store! I was on the verge about getting a family member's old record player, but this place tipped me over big time. The Mystery Train is well organized and has an exhaustive collection of CDs and records. I walked out with Elton John, The Supremes, Jim Reeves, and the Beatles (they also had a ton of less pop-y, off beat stuff) and a smile on my face. As soon as I get the record player - I'll be back. read more

This place is worth going to if you're out on the North Shore and want to dig through records to find things you've been looking for FOR A WHILE.. see thats what happens every time i'm here. I spend most of my time going through the 45's and 7" 's. I found a ton of great punk and hardcore records that were on my list of must haves for a while. The staff is always friendly and helpful whenever I go in. Parking is easy (street and behind the building) and they seem to get new shipments in pretty often. They sell cds, records, dvds, record box holders(I bought 3 there for my 45s) and record players. The window display is always rad too. Great place to go if you're looking for soul, oldies and good rock records. They seem to have a ton of everything and I never leave disappointed. read more

Amazing record store. I should say AMAZING, in capitals. You could spend an entire weekend there browsing among the thousands and thousands of records they have while fantasizing about what you want to get... Until you check the prices and... wait a minute! Prices are also excellent! You don't have to fantasize! You can actually buy all the records you were dreaming about! Excellent selection in all styles, including classical and international records (Spanish, French...). Overall, I don't think a record store can get better. Can't wait until I can come back! read more

Now this is what I call a record store. Definitely one of the best I've been to in years. Such a crazy hodge-podge of a collection, such reasonable prices, and such a great shopfront window. Classic record store dudes, too. We were told they had tons of vinyl, and they totally did. Pays to rifle through the piles of uncategorized records near the front door (the ones on the other side of the door from the New Additions). We found many gems therein. read more

Mystery Train - all aboard! - Music & DVDs Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

This place rocks! One of the few authentic record shops in the area. Their used CD, Record, VHS and poster and other novelties selection are unmatched anywhere. The prices are right, the parking sucks but I'm letting that go even though I usually don't that's how much I love this place. And it's also in downtown Gloucester which is a sweet spot to take in some pretty interesting sites and to have a nice lunch or dinner. I read more

Back again after a couple years. I'm having doubts that they really turn over their classical inventory at all. Bothersome is understock that is not priced and the clerk on hand cannot do anything with it. Does this store really want to sell records? I will give them credit for the large amount of freebies at the entrance. Yes, there was a lot of junk in there but I did manage to find a few things. Again, I really do not think that these folks are concerned with moving inventory. read more

Been a customer since 1991 http://imgur.com/ed0WK.jpg There is the photographic Proof. Yeah took my wife of 15 years there (had been dating for 2 months) to get that CD 19 years, 3 months and 2 days ago when we visited Boston from Ohio. Ill be back next week. Thanks Yelp reviewer that let me know they moved to Gloucester. read more

Records upon records upon records. If you are into vinyls you'll be in heaven in this place. Plan some time to browse because you will need to hunt around. You never know what you are going to find. Also they have a free section out front which is pretty cool. Reasonably priced. Friendly staff. read more

Whenever I want to buy records I drive to Gloucester from Boston. This is hands down the best record store in the area, and one of the best I have been to anywhere in the country. They consistently have what I am looking for, and the vinyl is always in great shape. I mainly listen to country, soul, jazz, and blues and am impressed with all these sections. Better yet, the people there just listen to good music and are down to earth about it, so you don't have to listen to pretentious diatribes about some Flemish pressing of an obscure band you have never heard of They definitely know what they have and what its worth so you won't find some $100 record for $3.00, but you also won't get gouged like you do in a lot of other stores. read more

If you're a record geek or even an amateur record geek like me, you'll get excited when you walk into Mystery Train. Most records are between $5 and $12 dollars. The selection is huge, and includes some amazing finds. I got a record of historic radio broadcasts between 1933 and 1945 as well as some great blues records. read more

how do I love the, let me count the ways.... 1 killer selection 2 super cool and nice staff 3 cheap prices 4 great section of records 5 A+ selection of CD's 6 amazing selection of books 7 good DVD's 8 cool toys, art, posters, pinball backs, vintage nick nacks etc. I could go on, but I want to make you go there to check it out yourself. They moved into a bigger space and they are still appearing to be packing themselves to the gills! read more

while I'm a fan of the original harvard square store, yes it was small but i spent most of my allowance here and they had cop killer when it was banned, but this place is amazing. I have family in Gloucester and use them as my reason to stop by here. Always a great selection and great prices. read more

Mystery Train is the kind of store you go in not realizing you need/want anything, but always end up leaving with something awesome you never expected to find! read more

Great store to shop in..LOVE the fact that I can randomly find rare, 'live' CD's fairly priced!

Friendly, good mixture of products and convenient. I like Mystery Train a lot. I go there as often as I am in Gloucester because they sell the music I like, the movies I want to keep and they are nice to my little dog who goes shopping with me. It's low key and eccentric which I appreciate. read more

We stumbled on Mystery Train when taking a day trip to Gloucester. We planned to go to the beach but the weather was yucky, so we walked around Gloucester. Mystery Train is AWESOME. Totally worth going up to Gloucester JUST for Mystery Train. Lots of vinyl. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. read more

I went here on record store day.....what a place! They have EVERYTHING!!!

While the store is physically nice, clean, pleasant and in a beautiful location, the selection is dismal to dreadful to dire (and that's putting it charitably), with every disappointing shade in between. It is essentially two acres worth of nothing to see, find or buy. Crate-diggers beware: the bottom has been scraped beyond recognition. read more

Hey guy from Watertown. Guess everyone is out of step but YOU! Place is great. Not a classical music fan. I'm way too young for that stuff. (I'm 80!) I can't talk about classical prices. Don't care. My thing is jazz, blues and classic rock and some things that stretch those catagories like: Grace Jones; Capt. Beefheart; Garland Jeffries; Willie Mabon; Rose Murphy; Nina Simone; King Pleasure and lots and lots of Monk (as in Thelonius). And for stuff like that, Mystery Train's inventory, record condition AND their low prices can't be beat. FIVE STARS ARE NOT ENOUGH!!! read more