Beverly Records

I find this place wonderful! As a punk teenager fighting over albums and asking a million questions. The two gents working were more than willingly able to help me find my requested selections. Although one had kind of an attitude it was quite alright mentioning me being kind of annoying already. that i am a newbie to collecting vinyl!
Selection wise they have GREAT finds here in my opinion. They keep the popular stuff up front since everyone likes them. The store did get a little confusing and cluttered though, but it really isn’t a hassle to find what your looking for. If you cant find it just ask! They know that like the back of there hand! Spot on.

Beverly Records brings to mind for me so many things – the promise of a record store that could possibly remind all of us of the greatness of record stores past. Those places those of us old enough to remember can – Hegewish, Crow’s Nest, Record Swap, Threshold, Rose, Tower, etc, etc, etc. The places you find discussed for Chicago on discussion boards like the Steve Hoffman site. Places baby boomers will remember, when they would work shitty service jobs to buy LPs to play on whatever turntable they could afford during the 1960s and 1970s want to make into a legend. Where Gen Xers like me will say reminded them of their best glory days, too, whether it be our own memories about the places, like when we first started buying music in the 1980s or early 1990s, or stories we heard about these kinds of places through the boomers…
And at its best moments, it can still bring that idea to mind, even today. But the problem is, like other places that fall in to this category – for instance, Val Halla’s out in Oak Park – the present day versions ARE NOT what they were in the 1980s or 1990s. The place has become a vinyl graveyard. Records that are warped and unplayable sold as G, records that are good sold as VG, and that feeling that things should be different than what it we are getting…
What is Beverly Records today as a result? Mostly, a store selling LPs of poor or, at best, good quality as VG because they need to keep the doors open somehow. And piles of CDs nobody really wants. And baby boomer collectors still try to go and buy stuff, but they know, like you and I know, that the quality ain’t what it was 20 years ago. It honestly makes me sad to write this review, because it should be better than this. ..

They have more records than probably any store I’ve ever visited, but that is because they don’t care two wits about the condition of said records. I’ve never seen used original pressings of items like Miles Smiles, A Love Supreme, and other highly sought-​after Impulse stuff. But the problem is that most of the records are in poor condition. I managed to find two that were maybe VG+, but they were both warped. The place is kind of a tease. I’d almost rather they have nothing; at least then I would have wasted less time there.

Great shop in a German-​Irish neighborhood. I was right at home! Thanks for the pile of wax gentlemen. I’ll see you in the spring time.

I went there just to browse. First thing you see when you step in door is the dollar bin. So that is where I started. I kept finding LPs from artists that I liked. I was able to gather like 25 LPs that were great finds for me. Then I went to the New Arrivals, I was able to find 4 more good finds. As I already had my hands full I didn’t even look at the rest of the ²⁄₃ of the store. Prices are really good compared to record stores closer to the city. Clerks are cool. Will definitely go back and check out the rest of the store.

The two old guys running this business need to take a course in customer service and customer relations. Both are extremely rude and very unaccommodating. In this horrible economy you would think that they would be more inclined to treat customers with respect and in a manner which says «I value you as a customer, please come back.» I received the exact opposite from both. They treated me as if I was annoying or bothering them and brushed me off. I couldn’t believe how badly I was treated and felt totally disrespected. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME GOING HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE TREATED POORLY AND UNPROFESSIONALLY!

Been going here since 1980. On the plus side, if you really can’t find it elsewhere, they probably will have it, but it might cost you more than you expected. On the minus side, the place is, and always was, a disorganized mess of record bins jammed into a relatively small store. I’ve had to bend, stoop, strain, reach, stretch, lift, and squat to hunt for records in that place, but there are people who enjoy that kind of record hunting. They’ve always been on the expensive side, but now with the internet, why go through all that when you can click and pay and have it shipped to your home?

Been here once, Some 12 years ago.
Has a rather big selection of albums, 45’s, etc.

Super small record shop with lots of unorganized vinyl. Prices are a bit steep. However, there is always a good find.

i been living in fla since 1982, but prior i lived in midlothian…
i use to ride my bike as a 13 yrs old to visit this record shop, i knew christine & john– wife & husband owner …and later jack & randy.
they grew up in the record business and huge knowlege of rare records.
the place was a mess in 1973, but as long as they can turn a profit in a business
that is kinda obscure now, more power to them.

dusty record store with a disorganized selection. i wanted to like this store but simply couldn’t. it was not hard to notice the bad condition of the album covers. the old guy behind the counter offered little help and that gave me the sense that he is not too familiar with his inventory. another Illinois disappointment

This is really the best used record shop I have been to in the city. Now this may change over time but, at the time of this review this is place is the cat’s meow. This place feels, smells, and looks like the used record shop you have been dreaming about. Endless rows of records. Your mainstay classics, hard to find country, jazz and blues, and the biggest selection of 45s I have seen. Just lots and lots to see here. Maybe to much if one was to have a complaint, though it is a silly one at that. You may get a little gruff from the owner but if you seem interested he will be too. So go out support your local independent record shops. Don’t give Best Buy or iTunes a reason to live!

Finally made it all the way down to this place a few weekends ago.
This is easily the best/​most comprehensive used record store in Chicago.
I went down there because they are known for their extensive stock of old 45s, and they did not disappoint. Just about every title I looked up they had in the stacks at the rear of the store. Use the catalogs in the front as a reference. A fella named Randy was real friendly and helpful.
None of the records on the floor are marked w/​a price tag, so I was afraid to pick out too much only to find out they’re demanding exorbitant prices at the cash register. Randy told me not to worry, all the 45s (except for some rarities behind the register) are $ 4 — great deal in my opinion! Some of the records I got were probably worth less than that, but some I’d have expected to pay more. I forgot the fixed price of the LPs, but it was cheap/​reasonable.

I recently bought a very rare turntable on eBay with a few minor issues. I found out that Beverly Records has a guy that has tons of experience with turntables. I drove the hour drive to get there and dropped off the TT. The guy that, I believe, owns the store seemed calm, quiet and nice enough. He placed my well boxed TT on a desk or something, it’s hard to tell what it was due to all the massive clutter which I have come to expect from old school record shops. I had to have a look around at the huge selection. Tons and tons of tired old and not so old records with the priced marked with a Sharpie on the back cover. I hear they keep the «good» stuff in the back. I was surprised to see a huge metal fan stacked on top of what looked to be junk records in a bin. Whether they were junk or not is beside the point, there’s a big honker fan on top of a full record bin! I left soon after and was told the repair guy would call me.
I received a call from an older sounding guy who told me what he did and that he did not see a second cartridge that I taped on one of the Styrofoam planks in the box. I wanted him to see if it was good or not but, he never found one, someone lost it. No big deal, it came free with the TT. He also told me that the dust cover acrylic had a crack on it. I told him it came that way so, no problem. The crack I am speaking of is a chip off a corner of the dust cover so small it was not an issue. When I picked up the TT today I found out that he really mean that the dust cover was cracked in half and missing screws for the wood side panels to hold it together. Somewhere along the line someone handled the TT poorly but, no one was admitting to doing it!!! I was very upset! I had barley played more that 2 songs on this TT, it’s very rare, the dustcover may have been customized and now in looks like junk. His quote was, «It must have been dropped somewhere along the line». I was amazed at the shop owners lack of responsibility however, I was so upset over this he decided to give me not only a refund on the repair but, he bought the TT back for exactly what I paid. That’s why I gave 2 stars. I will not return to this messy careless store again!
Also, they sell a T-​Shirt that says «Drum Machines Have No Soul». I happen to be not only a huge fan of rootsy, acoustic Americana and dozens of other genres but, I;m also a huge fan of all types of electronic music. Sure, the old, old school drum machines don’t have a soul but, latter technology has improved greatly since those days. Electronic music can and does have lots of soul when it chooses to. I’m not prescribing to that ignorant belief about drum machines and any true music lover shouldn’t either. They have a right to their opinion, no matter how ignorant it might be.
I won’t be back!

After hearing about this place for thirty years (Chicago Eddie Schwartz, et al) I decided to make the trip. Needed a gift for a newborn that had a certain significance to the tune’s name. Found it in great condition with the original sleeve so it will make a terrific gift. I wouldn’t say the place is overly brouseable until you know their system regarding 45’s. The celeb pix on the wall took me way back and the guy that waited on me (got to be one of the sons) was extremely knowledgeable about the product. They also had some interesting one off pieces that were worth their steep prices. You won’t find a great cheap deal and be able to turn it into profit at this place. They know the value of what they have and price it accordingly. Most all of this stuff you can get on-​line, however I prefer to support the local sheriff when available. I agree with other posts that to see everything they have on the walls, etc you will be there for awhile which is cool with them because I didn’t feel any pressure to leave after I made a purchase. The guy was still helpful and pleasant.

It’s probably been four years since I’ve been inside here, for a couple of reasons. First off I don’t live three miles away any more and whenever I’m home I usually have other things to take care of. Second, I’m not in high school any more and money is much tighter when you’re actually on your own. Third, I don’t like the staff. Not all of them mind you; there was one amazing guy there, the one with the dreads. I wish I could remember his name because he’s one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met. That guy was great.
As for the rest, the older gentleman in particular; I know that the 16 – 18 year old crowd probably isn’t their bread and butter, but goddamnit I’m still a customer that wants to fork over my hard earned money to your establishment. For a couple years I’d pop in every two weeks or so and literally scour over every single rack of LPs to see what I could find. If you’ve been here you know how much effort that takes. I made some genuinely great scores of the years, things that are some of the pride and joy of my record collection. Point being, I was obviously on a mission, not just some schmuck off the street. Just because I was a teenager doesn’t give you the right to rush me out of the store three hours before closing. It also doesn’t give you the right to ignore me and leave me at the counter for 15 minutes, despite talking to you twice. It doesn’t give you the right to ring up people who were in line behind me simply because you may know them.
These weren’t one time deals, they happened multiple times. And as time went on the condition of the place worsened. Before there were maybe a few odd LPs stacked on top of the shelves but by the end of my experiences they became almost omnipresent and browsing became a task and a half. Then the prices went up to boot.
My bitterness about my experience toward the end kind of taints my memory of the place. Maybe if it’s open when I’m 45 and I go in I’ll get some respect.

An amazing selection of dusty old vinyl. Rare stuff is more expensive, and they have a lot of that. But they have so many records they are running out of room. If you buy a huge stack, they will cut you a deal. Most LPs you can get 4 for $ 20. The guys working there are really knowledgeable. The also offer refurbed old stereos and turntables. Check out this southside gem.

This place has lots of records for a decent price and is the only place that sells the Let’s Go Go Go White Sox 2005 Pressing CD! Seems like the place has very nice owners.