Listen, I’m a junker, a treasure hunter, a “picker” as they say nowadays. I prefer the term “vinyl pirate,” but that is sometimes misconstrued as some strange form of bondage that gets me kicked out of Hartville, but in all the right places in South Akron. I digress. I have been a junker all my life, and I have a knack for finding bargains. On a typical weekend, I’m out looking for records and anything related to music. Everybody knows about the popular places to find cool vinyl, like our buddies over at The Exchange. But for the people who want to dig in the most obscure of nooks, this article is for you. We’ve broken the ratings down into “randomness” (for those who feel like treasure-hunting) and “stability” (for those who want a sure bet there will be something for you to consider). HARTVILLE FLEA MARKET 1289 W. MAPLE ST., HARTVILLE 44632 This flea market has over 1,200 vendors on a typical day. You’ll find anything from shoeless hillbillies with crates of garage-sale leftovers on a blanket to pro record collectors. I like this place because I can usually find something obscure that I haven’t seen before in a pile of junk, and if I am on the hunt for something in my personal collection, there are guys here who know how to find it. Randomness: ***** / Stability: ** SQUARE RECORDS 824 W. MARKET ST., AKRON 44303 Located right in Highland Square, this place is truly a resource. “Square” Dave, who owns the place, always has the new vinyl releases you need to hear, as well as a huge stock of used vinyl. It never fails that I always find a great release by an Akron band I didn’t even know existed. I’m sure he is carrying the new 0dfx album too. You need to get that right away. Randomness: ***** / Stability: ***** THE VINYL UNDERGROUND 257 N. WATER ST., KENT 44240 Our good buddy Pete runs this place, and he helped us get started at the Buzzbin Art & Music Shop. There are thousands of records at The Vinyl Underground, stacked all over the place. You never know what you will find, so plan some time for picking. And if you’re on the hunt for something rare, Pete can get it for you. This is what he specializes in, which is why he is good guy to keep on this list. Randomness: ***** / Stability: ***** VILLAGE DISCOUNT OUTLET 193 E. WATERLOO RD. AKRON 44319 Not only can you find porcelain kitten salt shakers, a used tennis racket, or a pair of size-16 Reebok pumps, but add to that list old rock T-shirts, records and tapes! I’ve been going here since my college days to find cheap records and even cheaper T-shirts. Daily there are tag specials for 50-percent-off too, which makes it fun to shop here. I’ve walked away from here with hundreds of hair- metal tapes, old rock posters and have found the weirdest records I’ve ever heard in my life. Stock changes daily, so you always have a reason to go back. Randomness: ***** / Stability: * SALVATION ARMY 3333 MANCHESTER RD., #6, AKRON 44319 Another thrift store I frequent on my treasure-hunting route is the Salvation Army, or as my sister used to call it, the “Celebration Army” in Conventry (Akron). I’ll typically find some weird little bobblehead Ringo Starr, or a bunch of classic-rock records to make my trip worth it. If you are into the new stuff, this place is not for you. But if you’re in need of some vinyl records or used curtains, this place will treat you well. Pay attention, because once a year there’s a huge flea market in this parking lot, which fairs well for us junkers. Date to be announced. Randomness: ***** / Stability: * TIME TRAVELER CDs, DVDs & MORE 2615 STATE RD., CUYAHOGA FALLS, 44223 This place has lots of used and new vinyl, but also an enormous new and used CD selection as well as DVD, VHS, posters and more. Possibly the largest store on the list, it’s almost overwhelming. Stop in when you have time to really peruse the racks. You’ll find everything from The Black Keys on vinyl to a used copy of “Showboat” (a must own!) on VHS. Owner Scott Shepard is an encyclopedia of music knowledge too. Stop in and see if you can stump him! Randomness: **** / Stability: **** CHECKERED RECORDS 1954 WHIPPLE AVE. N.W., CANTON 44708 Checkered Records is the granddaddy of them all. George has been around forever offering the coolest of the cool. You know, there could be a nuclear war and the only things that would be left would be Magic Johnson, Twinkies, and Checkered Records. You never know what you’ll find there, since stock changes regularly, but you’ll always find something to buy. This guy is the real deal. Randomness: ***** / Stability: ***** RESTORE 4525 CLEVELAND AVE. N.W., CANTON 44709 Not exactly a neat place to shop, but if you’re making your Akron/ Canton jaunt for vinyl then you may as well swing by to see what they have. On occasion I’ve found some great records, and you can’t beat the price — every one is 50 cents. Randomness: *** / Stability: * BUZZBIN ART & MUSIC SHOP 337 CLEVELAND AVE. N.W., DOWNTOWN CANTON 44702 This is our place, so it would be unfair to give you a biased opinion here. Let me just say this: Canton, thanks for letting me put my dorm room on the corner of 4th and Cleveland. We have art, music and beer, just like the magazine says we do. I strive to make that place a fun stop on your vinyl tour. CANTON PRESERVATION SOCIETY 131 WERTZ AVE. N.W., CANTON 44708 Much like Restore, this isn’t exactly a place for music buffs. But they do have a bunch of records and tapes here. Most days, you’ll find tapes four for a dollar, or records half off, just to clear stock. Randomness: * / Stability: ** LINCOLNWAY GIFTS & COLLECTIBLES 4410 LINCOLN WAY E., MASSILLON 44646 I love this place. About a quarter of their store is filled with records, all reasonably priced, and the rest is filled with knickknacks, baseball cards and other randomness you can only find at an old thrift store. I always walk out with a stack of vinyl and the need to Purell. Randomness: ** / Stability: ***** NEW DESTINATIONS THRIFT STORE 4152 ERIE AVE. S.W., NAVARRE 44662 This thrift store is really hit-or-miss with me. Sometimes I find records I’ve been searching for all my life, while other times there just aren’t any records there at all. It is a bit of a drive away from their old Massillon location, but a nice place to end your record- collecting journey. Plus, there’s a Taco Bell right around the corner, so you can spend your leftover pennies on a Crunchwrap. Randomness: **** / Stability: *