Some of the best places aren't hidden on purpose they simply let the people who are looking for…read morethem find them. That was exactly my experience with Sorry State Records. It was my first visit, and after spending time there, I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of its name. I was the one who felt sorry: sorry that it had taken me so many years to discover one of Raleigh's most beloved independent record stores. Tucked into downtown, Sorry State Records is easy to miss if you don't know it's there. But step inside, and the pace immediately shifts. The shop is bright, thoughtfully organized, and refreshingly unpretentious. Shelves of carefully curated vinyl invite slow browsing rather than hurried shopping, making it the kind of place where time slips away unnoticed. I brought my brother-in-law, an avid record collector visiting from St. Louis, and watching him explore the collection was almost as enjoyable as browsing myself. While I'm far from a vinyl expert, he immediately commented on how well organized the inventory was; a detail seasoned collectors genuinely appreciate. His visit was made even better when he unearthed a copy of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the kind of unexpected find that makes digging through record bins so rewarding. Beyond vinyl, the shop also stocks cassette tapes, music publications, and a carefully selected mix of merchandise that reflects the store's deep roots in independent music culture. It's less of a retail space and more of a gathering place for people who genuinely love music. The staff struck the perfect balance between being available and giving customers room to browse. Although they were helping others when we arrived, we immediately felt welcome, and the relaxed atmosphere made it easy to settle in and explore at our own pace. Parking is convenient, with both a surface lot nearby and a parking deck just a short walk away, making a visit surprisingly easy despite its downtown location. Sorry State Records is the kind of independent shop every city hopes to have but few can sustain. Authentic, thoughtfully curated, and deeply connected to Raleigh's creative community, it's a destination worth seeking out: even if, like me, you're a little late to discovering it.

Visiting Pour House and Sorry State in the same hour let me really compare the two and finally…read moreleave an informed review of each. Sorry State is purely here to buy and sell records, nothing else. So you get a great variety to look through, well maintained, plenty of quality originals. The downside? Not a great visual ambiance. But if I'm looking for a good record or three, I'd be starting here.

Great selection of used vinyl and hi fi systems…read more Run by a nice husband and wife couple as well.

This place is the real deal. It's a walk down a steepish driveway through a door and into a musty…read morebasement and into paradise. You could spend hours pawing through the endless collection of new and used classic vinyl records, with selection for anyone's taste in music. Not to mention, the music playing inside was very good. It's anything classic and original you could want in a vinyl record shop experience. Definitely check it out :)

There's truly something for everyone here. They have a huge selection of both new and used items,…read moreand everything is very well organized with clearly labeled sections, making it easy to shop. Ample seating too if you want to chill and have a beer.

After having dinner at Ponysaurus my husband strolled the Iron Works District and came across this…read morecute record store. Full of old vinyl and beer on tap, say less! We sat for a few hours talking with friends while we enjoyed the beer and vibes. Oh yea, did I mention the bartender was also the DJ! This is a very cool place and we will certainly be back. If you are looking for a low key place to have some drinks and chat with friends this is the place to be!

I am new to whole record shopping business. I am normally the tag along. I am here for the ride…read more But then I got use to listening to records on Saturday mornings while enjoying a home made scramble and coffee. Schoolkids Records is cool when it comes to record shops because if combines my old favorite, a bar with my new favorite, records. It was so nice to flip through vinyl, check out band merch and then pop a squat for a cold one. I love the embrace of nerd culture, action figures cover the bar. And CDs are used as artsy decoration. Oh how times have changed since, I was a kid. I also love that they have a stage. I don't live in the area but it would be a great spot for in store shows. Definitely worth popping in for some new tunes and a beer! And the employees conversations reminded me of a scene from "High Fidelity"! Too good to pass up!

O.K. place for used CD shopping.....not really that big a selection,though.Anyway....the main girl…read morethat works there most of the time is very rude,unhelpful,and could care less if you are in the store or not.Absolutely horrible.Also....the music that's played in store is absolutely awful.Usually cant stay for more than 15 or 20 minutes because the music is so bad.Punk,rap and other assorted garbage drives me right out of the store.Don't waste your time,your money,or your hearing at this place.Terrible experiences.

Why has it taken me so long to hear of this place?? Reader's Corner is a dream for avid readers…read more The shop is filled to the brim with books organized by genre. The books inside are individually priced, while the books outside are discounted to 10 or 25 cents based on which side it is on. I could have spent hours there. After selecting way too many books, I took them up to the counter to check out. As the friendly employee rang up the books, we chatted about D&D. Overall, perfect first visit and I look forward to returning!

Readers Corner sells books for $.10 and $.25 before you even enter the store. But once inside you…read morecan find all kinds of books and albums from all genera's - whatever you're looking for. Just be prepared, it's an older building and it felt that way once inside, but they were very busy too. If it had not been so cold out we would have perused more of the $.10 books outside. We definitely will go back for that because there's lots of bargains that we had here. They sell a variety of items here it's worth checking out.

I came here for the first time a few weeks ago, and from the second I walked in, I was in love…read more They had a good selection of genres, reasonably priced used books, and a big selection of non-book items as well such as records and CDs. A perfect example of my ideal used book store!

A fun place to shop for used books, vinyl, and DVDs. Eclectic selection and friendly staff…read more Handicapping parking located in rear of building.

Parking is terrible, had to pay to street park to even get in. Then everything is extremely…read moreoverpriced! My husband and I visit thrift stores and antique stores all of the country and I have never seen a place as overpriced as this one. Do not recommend.

We were around the corner at the Pit and decided to walk over to Father & Son. We had read some…read moregood things. We were just browsing. Now, we do go to more than the average persons number of antique fairs and locations in local NC states. That being said, prices were a bit on the high side but selection was good. Attendant was very friendly.

When you enter the trunk show you can expect vintage meets consignment from the moment you head…read moredown stairs. You're greeted by the staff and then are able to peruse through the several separate rooms finding fun and kitchen items abound to meet your fancy. If you can't find it here then you're not going to find it! Things are decently priced by the specific vendor and well preserved. I found some handmade soap that smells like the ocean as well as a local artist coasters and a vintage leather bracelets as well as several other things. It's a dangerously fun it's fine if you're in the area definitely pop in!

Fun little spot to walk around and maybe find a treasure or two. My partner and I went in on a whim…read moreafter breakfast on Saturday and found Christmas glasses that matched our set perfectly! And it was all reasonably priced.