Randy’s Record Shop
“I grew up in this record store,” Sam Stinson begins, reflecting on a childhood steeped in the world of vinyl. “My brother and I had a little room here with a TV where we’d play, and watch shows while my parents ran the shop. I started working here when I was seven or eight, cleaning 45s. It’s been a lifelong journey.”
Randy’s Record Shop, a Salt Lake City staple since 1978, was founded by Sam’s father, Randy, whose passion for records began with a single 7-inch, Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny. The store grew into a cultural fixture, particularly in the 1990s - a golden era for record collectors. Back then, Randy’s became known for its knowledgeable staff and diverse genres - a resource for music lovers long before the internet transformed music discovery. Today, Sam and his team carry on that legacy, offering expertise that goes far beyond what can be found online.
Sam describes Randy’s as a haven for collectors and newcomers alike. “We buy and sell everything from punk and heavy metal to jazz, rock ’n’ roll, and anything else we think people would want.” Randy’s not only offers premium records but also stocks affordable finds, like used records priced at $3 or $4 - ideal for young music lovers. The shop’s popular $2 clearance sale, held four times a year, is a draw for locals seeking hidden gems. Thousands of cassettes also line the shelves, offering a more affordable alternative to vinyl for a new generation rediscovering the Walkman.
Through lean times, Randy’s faith in vinyl’s comeback never wavered. “He lived in the back of the shop after he and my mom separated, barely keeping it going month to month,” Sam recalls. “In the late 90s and early 2000s, he was just getting by, convinced vinyl would one day return to what it is today.”
When Randy’s health began to decline, he turned to Sam. “He begged me to come help full-time because he didn’t think he could make it on his own,” Sam shares. He stepped in around 2006, to support his father’s vision and sustain the store. His younger brother managed the shop from 2001 to 2007, adding to the family’s dedication.
A pivotal figure in Randy’s legacy was his landlord, who played a crucial role in securing the shop’s future. Randy had rented the building - a former garage from the 1950s and 60s - for over thirty years. In 2009, knowing his own children might not retain the space for Randy, the landlord chose to sell it to him at below-market value. “He wanted the store to be here for years to come,” Sam reflects, grateful for the landlord’s foresight and community-minded decision, which allowed the shop to stay part of the Salt Lake neighborhood.
Under Sam’s stewardship, Randy’s has grown its inventory to fill two buildings, attracting everyone from first-time vinyl enthusiasts to seasoned collectors. Sam honors the shop’s long-standing role in the community, making it a destination for music lovers. “People from all over visit the shop, especially during concerts or festivals,” he says, noting its cultural significance to Salt Lake.
Though Randy now resides in an assisted care facility, music remains a link to his past. “When I play music for him, he sometimes starts rocking his head, remembering the tunes that once filled his life,” Sam says, cherishing the bond that music still provides.
Looking around the shop, Sam reflects on his father’s legacy and the place Randy’s Record Shop holds in Salt Lake’s music scene. “This place wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him,” he says. And as long as there is a record to be spun, Sam hopes to keep Randy’s Record Shop alive, bridging generations with the enduring power of vinyl.
