Random Records

Random Records is a used-music shop inside Hot Springs’ Central Station Furniture Flea Market, where records are sorted by genre and prepared carefully before going out for sale. In this interview, the owner talks about a varied selection, regular visitors, and nine years of running an independent shop.

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Interview with Random Records

Random Records — where does the name come from, and what's the shop about?

Random Records because that’s how I view the selections in my shop. This week’s new additions include Elmore James, Frank Zappa, Circle Jerks, Commodores, Van Halen, Dead Kennedys, and more. It’s all over the map. I’m a little shop tucked back in the Central Station Furniture Flea Market. I do not sell any new releases. I’ve tried to make it a colorful, welcoming space. Because of my legal background and record collecting over the last 60+ years, everything is broken up by genre and is alphabetically sorted for 90% of the stock. This makes it easy for me and my customers. Additionally, I price my inventory fairly. This is Hot Springs, AR, not L.A., New York or Chicago. I am basically a one woman show.

Hot Springs is a historic spa and tourist town. Does that mean visitors as much as locals in the shop, and who's coming through?

Yes. Hot Springs is a tourist destination. I get people from all over, primarily Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The Oaklawn Race Track has a racing season from late December into May. Because I am terrible at promoting/advertising the shop, a lot of my business is word of mouth with locals. People visiting my shop who come from out of town once or twice a year have told me that it is a must stop when they visit. Many come in because it is a flea market and there is so much to see.

What does the shop stock the most of, and what are you known for?

I stock LP’s, 45 rpms, cassettes, CDs, vintage t-shirts, old Rolling Stone magazines and other music-related items. It has been interesting to see how things have shaken out over the last 9 years. I sell 45% LPs, 45% CDs, 5% cassettes (usually to guys driving old trucks and young people just discovering cassettes) and 5% goes to 45’s. Most of the 45 rpm people are juke box owners looking to change up their play lists or are looking for picture sleeves for decoration. What I’m really known for is the care taken in preparing items for sale and my friendly nature. Everything is vetted, cleaned and priced depending on the quality. I have bargain boxes for LPs that do not reach my standards, but are still playable.

What do your eyes go to first when a collection lands on the counter?

Ha! Most items arrive in carts. The first thing I notice is the condition of the covers on the LPs. If the edges are frayed, the spines unreadable, and the smell of mold is present, it’s a bit of a letdown.

What do people assume is rare that you actually see all the time?

Elvis and the Beatles. While millions and millions of their records sold, people assume that they are all valuable.

And what quietly sells for more than people expect?

Psychedelic rock and sealed copies of records.

Out here, does store credit keep people coming back, or do most just want the cash?

I actually let the customer decide. Most want the cash, but I’ve had a number of people bring in trades for store credit.

Arkansas summers are hot and humid, and a lot of records come out of a basement or attic. What condition damage do you see most?

Warping and mold.

What's the find that still makes you shake your head, thinking back on it?

This year it was finding a copy of an LP that I originally purchased back in 1971 when it came out. Freddie King “Getting Ready.” It had been missing from my collection for 50 years. My pawn shop buddy brought in two boxes. When I got halfway through the first box, there it was. I can’t begin to tell you the level of joy that was experienced in that moment.

After all this, what still makes it worth opening the doors?

Well, 9 years ago I was looking on Craig’s List (old[er] folks still go there) looking for 45 rpm records. I stumbled on an ad that said, “Record store for sale.” I had been retired for three years then. I thought about it, visited the store, and asked for 24 hours to think it over. The next day I got a cashier’s check and said to people, “I’m going to have an experiment.” Here we are, nine years later. I still enjoy what I do. After the 40 years as a litigation secretary with a three hour a day commute, this is what I know. I like being my own boss, setting my own hours. If I were not running Random Records, I would likely be living in isolation, watching cable news. I don’t make a lot of money. Usually the money I make goes to purchasing new inventory. I still have a purpose and a challenge to be the best I can be and let my shop reflect that. How can you go wrong when your job is to greet people and play music all day?

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Last updated: 2026-10-01

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