Lou’s Records

Lou’s Records is an institution in Leucadia. Last time I was in here was 2009. Since moving back, I see they have moved to a new location, it is a great space. Very good for anyone with ambulatory disabilities, all level and wide aisles.
Prices are about what you would expect to find for CDs but really good selection of vinyl for aficionados. Worth pawing through.
Glad to see they are there.

Great selection of new and used CDs and LPs. I appreciated their accessories for vinyl-​lovers: album sleeves, record cleaners, stylus brushes. The staff is friendly and helpful, tool.

On the one hand I love finding a shop that still sells records/​tapes/​etc. On the other hand paying $ 13 for an old AC/​DC cd is way out of my price range! I can buy songs off the internet for much cheaper… so unless you are into the nostalgia of it all and want to actually own a piece of the past??? I thought stuff in this store was way overpriced. Even used cd’s were overpriced. i wouldn’t shop here again. I was actually looking for 4 – 5 old cd’s so they could have had a customer. Oh well… your mileage may vary.

Use to drive up from Long Beach to dig around and found some ok stuff at times. But the last time I came, I had found 3 records at .99 cents. I didnt have cash on me, and offered to pay with my card. The person working refused to ring me up. said «it isnt worth my time». So I walked out, never to return. To many quality record stores out there who dont treat there customers like trash. Some people become successful in life and have goals, others work for owners of a record store.

Lou’s is my favorite, great staff that knows their stuff, especially Kevin, he’s a cool dude. I could spend hours here and be happy with life.

I always come here for holiday presents. The same two guys are always there and they’re both really helpful and friendly with recommendations and help finding CDs and records. I’ve ordered a couple different albums and they’ve always arrived promptly. I think it’s a great space, managed by good people and frequented by loyal repeat customers.

Eh, it’s ok. I would drive by this place all the time and friends of mine always raved about it. My normal spot for CD’s was Sam Goody at the Horton Plaza mall in Downtown because any cd you were looking for, they ALWAYS had it in stock and always at a steal. Anyway, after that Sam Goody shut down, I decided to give this place a shot. Not impressive. Everything is super picked over. I ended up buying N*E*R*D’s first record In Search Of. Maybe my expectations were to high for this place after being spoiled at Sam Goody. I thought I was walk in here and find all these hidden gems but that was not the case

It’s half the size it used to be but still has the best used CD selection in town. I purchase music very infrequently these days due to space limitations, but still make time to check out Lou’s periodically. I find their selection to be wider than anyplace else in town.

Lou’s is and always will be my place to get music and movies. It’s a destination for vinyl and movie collectors. A real hands on place in this world of Amazon and iTunes. Go in and actually see and buy music that has an album cover.

Lou’s is my very favorite place in the world. I could spend all day here and never get tired of thumbing through LPs and CDs. It’s a bummer that they’re back down to only one side of the building (which they have been for a couple years I think) but their selection is still pretty good.
They don’t always have what I’m looking for but they’re quick to order something if you ask.
The service is always great — helpful but they let you have time to yourself too.
Not to mention that they get an amazing selection on Record Store Day every year. They always seem to get things no other store around gets. My tip for RSD is get there early: you get a great number in line, can run to Panikin and still have time to meet great new people.
The atmosphere, selection and staff will always keep me coming back.
Lou’s will forever be my favorite record store.

I love this store. I haven’t been in for a little while. It’s sad that they don’t have the other side anymore. Also they sell some stuff on Amazon. They do have some live music at the store still. It’s pretty cool that sometimes they give concert tickets away on Facebook.

Great selection but the prices can be pretty high. Most of the staff I’ve met haven’t seemed too friendly, but a great place to stop for new albums.

I have been buying music from this record shop for years. Albeit not too much in the last few years. Today I pop in about 5 pm and mr. Mustache is behind the counter. I greet him and ask how he is doing. A cordial greeting is normally returned instead no response. A few seconds later a terse «anything I could help you with?» I asked if they any Julieta Venegas. I realize she is not a household name but the response was a condescending «never heard of her!» Okay mustache boy is not very friendly and comes across as arrogant. A feed seconds later he wants to know if I don’t mind writing down her name. Again, the tone was brusque, not friendly. Looks it up can’t find anything.
So for a place that is half the size it was a few years back, obviously less inventory and losing market share – it is unwise to have staff lacking in basic customer service. I collect rare or hard to find music. I saw a few items I liked but did not buy a thing… felt disrespected. I will not be going back to Lou’s. I do not like to give bad reviews but this was a bad experience.
#Lousrecordsbadservice #nomaslous

Well organized, medium selection of LP’s and pricing that’s on par with the few remaining record stores around. Service is friendly, and aside from records, they have tapes and CDs as well. Records range from the 99 cent wonder bin to the newest releases. Parking is normal for Encinitas, otherwise, it’s a great resource to have if you’re a vinyl hold out.

Lou’s is still hanging in there with the cool record store vibe. It’s a shame though that their once decent LP stock has been severely depleted. I did see some interesting 7″ titles on their display wall, but most were overpriced. If you’re hoping to find quality well-​priced used vinyl here, you’ll likely be disappointed.

People say that paper media is dead, but I don’t believe that to be true. People say CD’s are dead, but I also don’t believe that to be true. With the invention of programs like Spotify and Pandora people are able to listen to music they want with/​out purchasing. Also they can have it all stored just like they would any other electronic form.
Like all us CD playing people who said vinyl was dead and that’s lasted I believe CD’s will stick around too for a while, for collectors and novelty, but not as a main music listening source.
I’ve been coming to Lou’s for 15+ years to get CD’s. Granted I don’t go as much now and sometimes I would just get tickets, t-​shirts or other music merch. It’s not so much about the music, but the music experience, listening, sifting, looking at the cover art and whatnot. Getting the super rare, getting the underground stuff you can’t even find online like ITunes.
At the height they had the large building and expanded and now they just have the expansion. Still the cruddy old parking lot with stickers all over. Still the smell of vinyl, paper, plastic all around, but their selection has dwindled from having rare heat to what amounts to some guys collection of unwanteds. They the latest releases and undergrounds, but it’s kind of uninviting seeing VHS, used DVD’s and stuff everywhere. I used to love Lou’s, loved opening new cd’s (I got really good and could undo the plastic and hinges in seconds). I’ll always remember it in its prime and not for what it’s degraded into.
Service has become spare, but still very helpful, enthusiastic and nice. Prices for most things has barely gone up over time. The shack vibe has lost its luster and means less to me now. Reviewing this has motivated me to sell my entire cd collection to them, I know I’ll get pennies, not on the dollar, but pennies, but that’s ok. I should probably just donate it and only keep my hard to find, rare stuff. I feel like I’m reviewing a dinosaur.

I remember Lou’s fondly. But Lou’s is famous now and feels very «picked thru.»
Came here with a list of vinyl to replace. Nothing obscure. No luck. Led Zeppelin? Only one album. The Who? No albums. And so on. I found one album on my list, but it was way overpriced.
Lou’s has a small section of $ 1 used vinyl. Think it was my last trip to Lou’s. It’s not their fault vinyl is popular again.

This place was even better when it had two rooms, but it’s still a great place to find and sell cds/​dvds/​vinyls.
I have gotten loads of cds at awesome prices. They have a good selection of new releases and more popular bands, and their used section is hit and miss, there are some days where you keep finding awesome things and others where nothing strikes your fancy.
Best record store in north county SD, friendly service, and some great tunes played in the store.
Support your local record stores before they all go away!

I still enjoy coming to this place. I used to come up here once a month for years but the selection has changed so much and its not that great anymore.
I still show my support though and try to find something to buy.

As much as I enjoy downloading music to my iPod, I am still a loyal purchaser of CDs. I still buy vinyl records albeit rarely. The experience of downloading songs off the Internet does not compare to buying a physical album, not even close. Especially if the album was one which you had been eagerly awaiting its release date for weeks (and sometimes even months) on end.
The ritual that comes with purchasing a record is lost on today’s generation of music fans and one in which future generations will never get to experience or appreciate. Wrestling with the album’s shrink wrap. Popping the CD ever so carefully in the stereo. Spending an entire day listening to the album on repeat whilst pouring over the album artwork, booklet insert and track listing. I will continue to buy CDs until they go the way of their predecessor: the cassette tape.
Lou’s Records was (and still is) my favorite record store to hit up for local San Diego music, imports and mainstream music. They have a stellar inventory of used and new vinyl, CDs and compilation sets. When it comes down to it, Lou’s is the best independent music store there is.