Music lovers in Indiana have a hidden treasure waiting on a lively street in Indianapolis. A large independent record store in the Broad Ripple area has built a strong reputation for its massive collection of vinyl records, CDs, and music memorabilia, drawing in both longtime collectors and new listeners alike.
The space is filled with rows of carefully organized albums spanning every genre, from classic rock and jazz to modern indie releases. It is the kind of place where browsing turns into an experience, and every visit can lead to an unexpected find.
Whether you grew up digging through record bins or are just starting to explore physical music formats, this shop offers plenty to keep you exploring.
You Will Find More Music Than You Ever Expected
Walking into Indy CD & Vinyl at 806 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220 feels less like shopping and more like stepping into a museum dedicated entirely to music. The sheer volume of titles available is genuinely hard to wrap your head around until you are standing right in the middle of it all.
The store carries the largest new and used vinyl selection in Central Indiana, spanning genres from 1950s rock to indie, jazz, electronica, hip-hop, country, alt-country, avant-garde, reggae, folk, world music, soundtracks, classical, gospel, blues, and spoken word.
That list alone tells you how seriously they take their inventory.
New releases sit alongside decades-old pressings, so you can discover something brand new or track down a record you have been hunting for years. CDs are also well-represented, giving collectors of all formats plenty to explore.
The organization by genre makes it manageable, though you will still want to set aside a good chunk of time. Many visitors describe the experience as one of the most comprehensive music-shopping trips they have ever had, even compared to stores in much larger cities.
Plan to stay longer than you think you need to.
Do Not Skip The Community Stage Called The 808
Right next door to the main store, something exciting is taking shape. The space at 808 Broad Ripple Avenue is being transformed into The 808, an all-ages community stage and event area that is set to become one of the most unique music venues in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The 808 is designed to host live music performances, educational workshops, local artist showcases, and non-profit fundraisers. It is the kind of space that makes a record store feel like the beating heart of a neighborhood rather than just a retail shop.
Before the pandemic paused everything, the store’s original stage welcomed artists like Mumford and Sons, Death Cab For Cutie, and Jurassic 5, which gives you a sense of the caliber of performances this team knows how to put together.
Visitors who have already experienced early events at the 808 rave about the sound system and the energy in the room. The fact that it is all-ages means families, teens, and longtime music fans can all show up and enjoy the same show together.
Keeping an eye on the store’s event calendar before your visit is a smart move so you can time your trip around a performance. Combining record shopping with live music in the same building is genuinely hard to beat.
Come Ready To Find More Than Just Music
Most people show up expecting records and CDs, which is completely fair. But Indy CD & Vinyl has quietly built one of the most diverse inventories of any music store in the Midwest, and the extras are worth knowing about before you go.
Beyond the music itself, the store stocks turntables, needles, cartridges, and turntable accessories for anyone looking to upgrade or maintain their setup at home.
Music cleaners, speakers, music DVDs, VHS tapes, and even laser discs are part of the mix, making this a genuinely nostalgic experience for anyone who grew up with those formats.
Books, collectibles, posters, and mugs round out the selection, turning a simple record run into a full afternoon of browsing. Shoppers also receive a free matchbook with every purchase, which is a small but charming touch that regulars seem to genuinely appreciate.
The posters come in a range of sizes, and the enamel and button pins have become popular picks for music fans who want a wearable reminder of their visit. If you are shopping for a gift for a music lover in your life, this store makes it surprisingly easy to walk out with something truly special.
It is the kind of place where you arrive for one thing and leave with five.
Plan Extra Time For The Arcade And Photo Booth
Not every record store gives you something to do between flipping through album sleeves, but Indy CD & Vinyl thought ahead on this one.
Tucked inside the store is a fun interactive area that includes four pinball machines, a classic upright arcade game, and a custom-built photo booth that has quickly become a favorite spot for visitors.
The photo booth in particular adds a personality to the store that feels genuinely playful rather than forced. It is the kind of detail that makes you smile when you discover it, and it gives groups of friends or families a reason to linger a little longer.
Kids who tag along with record-hunting parents suddenly have something to look forward to, which makes the whole trip easier for everyone.
The store also features a third space, a relaxed lounge-style area where patrons can sit down, decompress, and soak in the atmosphere without feeling rushed. Music plays throughout the store, naturally, and the overall vibe is warm and unhurried.
Visitors frequently describe the atmosphere as one of their favorite things about the place, separate from the music selection itself. Having a comfortable spot to rest while your travel companion keeps browsing is one of those small conveniences that makes a big difference during a longer visit.
Budget at least two to three hours if you want to enjoy everything the store has to offer.
Make Sure You Know Who Owns This Place
There is something meaningful about knowing the story behind a store before you visit, and Indy CD & Vinyl has a genuinely interesting one. The store originally started in Salt Lake City back in 1993, then relocated to Indianapolis in 2001.
In 2022, it celebrated its 20th anniversary in the city, which is a real milestone for any independent business.
Current owners Annie and Andy Skinner took over in 2013 and have grown the store into what it is today.
Indy CD & Vinyl is locally owned, female-owned, Latinx-owned, and veteran-owned, which means every dollar spent there supports a real family and a genuinely community-rooted business rather than a corporate chain.
That context changes the way a visit feels.
The store is also a proud member of CIMS, the Coalition of Independent Music Stores, and actively supports local charities, music, arts, culture, and families throughout Indianapolis, Indiana.
It has been voted the Best Record Store in Indy year after year by readers of NUVO Newsweekly and The Indianapolis Star, which reflects the deep affection the community has for this place.
Supporting a business with this kind of history and values feels good, and the Skinners have clearly built something that goes far beyond retail. Knowing that backstory before walking in adds a layer of appreciation to the whole experience.
Try Selling Your Used Vinyl While You Are There
Here is something a lot of people do not realize until they are already at the store: Indy CD & Vinyl buys used vinyl records from the public.
If you have been sitting on a collection you no longer spin, or if you inherited records and are not sure what to do with them, this could be the perfect opportunity to turn them into store credit or cash.
Bringing in records while you visit essentially lets you fund your new purchases with your old ones, which is a satisfying way to refresh a collection. The staff is knowledgeable enough to give you a fair sense of what your records are worth, and the buying process is straightforward.
Keep in mind that condition matters, so bringing in clean, well-maintained records will generally go more smoothly.
The store’s buying policy means they are selective about what they take, which is actually a good sign. It means the used inventory on the shelves has been curated rather than just dumped in without review.
For shoppers, that translates to a higher-quality used section overall. For sellers, it means being prepared with records that are in genuinely good shape.
Turning an old collection into new music is one of the most satisfying things a record lover can do.
Skip The Big Box Stores And Support This Instead
Big box retailers can find you a bestseller, but they cannot find you the obscure 1970s folk pressing you have been hunting for three years. That is exactly the kind of search where a store like Indy CD & Vinyl becomes irreplaceable.
The staff here is consistently described as passionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely eager to help, not just point you toward the nearest display.
Stories from visitors include staff members going into the back to find stickers and pins for a disappointed kid, looking up addresses for nearby record shops without being asked, and even shipping purchases out to customers who could not fly home with their finds.
That level of care is rare anywhere, let alone in a retail environment.
It reflects a culture that the owners have clearly built intentionally over many years.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM, giving you plenty of scheduling flexibility for a visit. You can also explore their offerings online at indycdandvinyl.com before making the trip.
Whether you are a lifelong collector, a casual listener, or someone who has never owned a record player, the energy inside this store has a way of making music feel exciting and alive again. Choosing to spend your money here means investing in something that genuinely matters to the Indianapolis community.
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