Pretty diverse selection of vinyl, plus some cool vintage hi-fi equipment, and a nice shopkeeper! Every downtown should have a place like this.
Wonderful discovery — excellent selection across the price points, and a handful of real rarities. Unusually for a small-ish local shop, the relatively common high-demand titles are priced at or slightly above what one might expect from a place in a bigger market, but more expensive items (in the $50+ range) are bargains, relatively speaking.
Great selection
Went inside and felt very out of place. This is not your typical record store. It’s definitely gives off a “let’s gentrify downtown” kind of vibes. If you’re looking for a classic record store vibe go somewhere else. It’s not the classic rock-n-roll / deadhead we’re all used too.
3. The Music Shoppe Inc.
Address: 1540 E College Ave #4, Normal, IL 61761 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
The Music Shoppe is a reliable place for everything music related. There store is always clean and well organized which makes finding what I need easy. I came in and was helped by a bearded fellow who helped me pick out the perfect Ukulele for my girlfriend. She loved it, and was reasonably priced. The assistance I received and the prices are unbeatable. I think they also do stuff for high school bands which is cool to see that they are integrated into the community.
Will be back!
Wonderful customer service. Very informative and considerate of my rental situation. Will be coming back in the future.
Russ was very helpful and knowledgeable. He got me hooked up with the right equipment for what I was looking for.
Friendly, helpful, if out of town call and they will let you when repairman is there for repairs. Saved me a trip. Thanks Music Shoppe
Got the music my daughter needed.
I have to say I really liked The Music Shoppe! An excellent store.
I finally visited the shop to get a couple boxes of guitar strings. I just didn’t feel like ordering online. I want to see merchandise in-person!
Wonderful, friendly staff in the store. Great instrument selections.
The store was bigger than I thought, a pleasant surprise.
Make yourself feel good, check out an instrument for yourself, live…. talk to staff about what you’re looking for. Sorry, but I love these “real” businesses.
Us as parents made a mistake about payments on my son’s sax so they did what there Right was and got it back so we went in and bought one from them paid it full out that same day we bought it they informed the music teacher to take it they were picking it up the following Friday so my son had it removed from him in front of his classmates just before his Christmas concert he was crushed at something he was looking forward in doing
we had receipt for sax which we paid cash for so with them doing this my son no longer wants to do band or music just because the people at the music shop if I could give them negative 5 star I would who would tell a music teacher to take away a sax that was paid for from a child for no reason at all I hope u go out of business?
They’re expensive, the cables and accessories they sell will usually cost nearly twice in price, just go on reverb or guitarcenter and order online instead. Saving customers money. The place is fairly quiet for a music shop and they have great service and employees though, I just wouldn’t suggest buying any accessories or equipment stuff like cables for electric instruments.
4. Reverberation Vinyl
Address: 1302 N Main St, Bloomington, IL 61701 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
Great place. An absolute TON of albums of every type. Has a great local record store/authentic vibe. I will definitely shop there again.
Stopped by with a milk crate full of albums, owner looked them over and gave me a great deal on the whole lot. A quick, friendly and more than fair transaction. And if I was looking to buy this is where I would stop.
Legit shop with a great selection. John really knows his stuff, so if you’re looking for something good/obscure, stop in.
Great place to get classic vinyl records. I talked to several people and if you have old records and want to get rid of them they say he has the best prices. A pleasant guy to deal with right next to Illinois Wesleyan University and the U-Haul on Main Street
Great first experience buying records. 🙂
A little disorganized, but more than makes up for it with a wide selection.
Terrible selection
Dude can’t open up on time. Been there two times and ended up waiting outside for him to open up 15 minutes past the posted open time. Selection is good. Prefer North Street Records.
Closed even though they are supposed to be open
5. Bill Treakle Music
Address: 203 Ivanhoe Way, Bloomington, IL 61701 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
Some may say that I’m experiencing a mid life crisis, but truthfully I have always been in love with stringed instruments. In grade school we didn’t have an orchestra, so I ended up playing trombone/baritone. Now, in my early forties I have found myself enjoying learning to play viola with instructor Paul Huppert at Noteworthy Music. I’m certain it’s easier for children to learn instruments but I’ve been make great progress and actual music with my viola. Paul recently had me do my first recital with him and I playing a duo of violin and viola. I actually tend to lean towards my electric viola and since Paul has fine tuned his own electric violin. He is very patient and an effective teacher. I’d send anyone interested in learning violin or viola to Paul Huppert.
9. Bombsight Recording Studio
Address: 801 W Chestnut St Ste D, Bloomington, IL 61701 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
This studio will blow your mind, truly. After working with some of the most well-known (and expensive) studios in Chicago, we traveled to Bloomington to track vocals at Bombsight and can honestly say it’s our new favorite studio in the Midwest! Every detail has been meticulously cared for: the studio wins on functionality, esthetics, comfort, sound quality, and is run by an engineer who really listens and knows how to help you achieve the sound you’re after! As a woman in music who’s had to deal with my fair share of men just talking over me, Dave (owner/engineer) puts off such an incredibly welcoming vibe and made me feel like he cared just as much about our project as we did. That’s not easy to find! You will really enjoy your time here. I cannot wait to go back and work with Dave again!
10. Underground Productions & Seventh Sounds / Recording Studio
Address: 901 E Grove St, Bloomington, IL 61701 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
David is a fantastic person who really knows his stuff. I didn’t even realize that this place existed, but it’s apparently been here for 31 years! Even if you’re just fiddling around, making acquaintances with these wooden friends, he is friendly and more than welcoming to even the newest pianists. Thanks, David. 🙂
13. Oxide Lounge
Address: 102 S Prairie St, Bloomington, IL 61701 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
Gil is an amazing person and an incredible teacher. He is unique because of his mutual learning philosophy; while teaching an instrument, he is also learning how he can be an even better teacher. Our son spent 5+ years with Gil in guitar lessons and loved every moment. As a parent I felt incredibly lucky that we found someone who was a perfect match for our son, and I have heard a number of people share the same sentiment. Our family is so thrilled about Hip Cat opening and offering such a variety of instrument & voice lessons to our community, and it’s fantastic that local college students are getting teaching experience in such a unique school where quality and a love of learning go hand in hand.
The new place is absolutely adorable! I have been getting lessons for a while with Gil and I’ve enjoyed every single one:)
Very welcoming at homey atmosphere. Gil makes it a point to take on instructors who are TRULY passionate about teaching and engaging with students, and he was very professional and courteous when communicating with me. You’ll be in good hands at Hip Cat.
15. Brite Production Studios
Address: 1005 W Washington St, Bloomington, IL 61701 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
Nathan and the staff at Brite Production Studios will take great care or your sound and production needs. Fast and reliable. Turnkey projects to top notch video production!
I have recorded several cds at Brite Production Studios, and all of them turned out Fantastic! The New Facility is so professional! Room for entire groups, and so well arranged!
Although I haven’t been able to utilize the new photo studio, multiple back drops are going to make my next cd cover look fabulous!
Thanks to Nathan and his “Crew” for making me feel right at home last weekend!
See you again soon!
FYE is a very fun store with lots of interesting items and some amazing exclusives!
Highly recommend the Ghostbusters chocolates! They taste very Gourmet!
Lots of stuff. But most of them DVDs were used which it did say that they were so it wasn’t like they were trying to sell something used as new. The electronics though they were on the low end of quality. I did not purchase anything at the store.
Old school meets modern day. Nice place
Stopped in the mall to do some shopping and checked out FYE. I like the fact they have a bunch of movies and lots of great deals on them and plenty of accessories. The down to the store was seeing the same displays of headphones in multiple locations, narrow aisles, and at the time, loud music playing. On a side note, after buying a set of headphones, be sure to get the warranty, your gonna need it.
Ordered online in August, shipping said it takes 5 business days, still have yet to receive my order.
One of the worst examples of customer service that I’ve ever experienced. Waited almost 10 minutes to make a potential purchase as both employees took off to the back room. A few other customers were also in the store at the time. Once an employee came to the register, found out she didn’t know if it was possible to do a split sale–cash and card. Eventually found out that wasn’t possible. In order to take advantage of an immediate 10% off, was told the purchase had to be made with a card. Nowhere is that stated on the promotion for the discount. I asked if a gift card could be purchased and then used to buy the item using the discount. Same employee had to ask her manager. Found out that wasn’t possible. So I simply told the manager and the employee that they just lost a sale and immediately walked out of the store. This store is located in Eastland Mall. Every store there is fighting to survive. I’d think every possible sale would be beneficial for this store. Due to this extremely poor experience, I don’t care if it survives. I will never set foot in this store again and will share my experience with all my family and friends.
Wish they still had cd burner
18. Waiting Room Records
Address: 113 W North St, Normal, IL 61761 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
Huge inventory, very nice staff, and a cat that sometimes plays fetch
Couldn’t quit smiling. Wanted to listen to soooooo many records in there. Awesome.
I love this record store. Great selection of anything music.
The only issue on why i don’t give it five stars is you should not put stickers on the record sleeves themselves. You should try to put them on the nylon protective sleeves
Could not find any vinyl on my list.
We were in town 1 day for a recent Cody Jinks concert.
Sweet store with a bunch of great vinyls and CDs, but it wasn’t organized very well. I got a couple of sweet new records and the woman who helped me check out was very nice and helpful.
The store has a good selection but I don’t like being stripped of my purse when I enter a shop. And I especially don’t like it being left on the counter when anyone can walk by and grab it
I’ve bought here before only to find out 4/5 albums were cheaper online. Their buying prices are a joke! Lowball, if they offer.
And they told me when a was looking for various popular albums “we don’t get many of those. You’ll be lucky to find one”. They did offer to look through their new stuff for me.
Overall overpriced and won’t go back.
Rude cashier didn’t want any old cds not even one and he told me to get out because he didn’t want anything to do with me
19. Stencillati Studio
Address: 1007 E Jefferson St, Bloomington, IL 61701 , Bloomington , Illinois , United States
