Does Missouri Have the Nations Oldest Record Shop?

Music on Vinyl has had a renaissance over the last fifteen to twenty years, with nostalgia buffs and audiophiles seeking out special copies of releases. Labels caught on and have pressed new copies and charged far more than they used to for classic albums and new releases.

There is nothing like thumbing through crates of vinyl.

If you are a certain age, one that the kids would default call “old”, you probably have fond memories of spending time in the record shop riffling through stacks of vinyl. Full albums and singles.

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Today, you may have a go-to place for record searching. A vintage store, a thrift store or maybe a space where garage sales occur regularly. But you could stop in at Rinehart’s Music and Video and get the old vibe back.

Rinehart's is on Franklin Street downtown in Kirksville, Mo.

To be fair Rinehart’s is more than a place you can find records. They have been open since 1897. This would mean that they sold 78’s in the early years of the business. 33 ^1/3 LPs didn’t come along seriously until the late 1940’s and 45’s shortly thereafter. Rinehart’s has seen all of it. The rise and the decline and resurgence of vinyl while still finding additional items to support the business including: Sheet music, musical instruments, video games and more.

You may find hidden treasure on those shelves

Also, the label of oldest record shop is disputed, as George’s Song Shop in Johnstown, Pennsylvania claims to be the oldest continuously operating record store in the USA. George’s opened in 1932, some 35 years after Rinehart’s. These days Rinehart’s also sells retro video game consoles, the video games themselves and other collectibles. Go grab some nostalgia and be a part of history in Kirksville, Mo.