Elk City Records

Elk City Records is a destination record shop in Charleston, West Virginia, with a deep interest in used vinyl, regional music, and the culture of Appalachia. The shop buys and sells records with a hands-on approach: collections are examined in person, condition matters, and the goal is to treat both people and the music fairly.

Charleston's position as a river-valley city and a crossroads for travelers gives the store a broad musical reach. Elk City carries far more than country records, while still recognizing West Virginia as a rich place for Appalachian heritage music, gospel, jazz finds, and records with real regional history.

Interview with Elk City Records

Charleston, WV has its own music history and a strong local identity. What does the city bring into the store?

Contrary to assumptions that West Virginians only play and listen to country music, we see a wide variety of records here. As the next largest city is hours away and three interstate highways converge here, there's always been a strong interest in rock and other more mainstream genres nurtured through live performances.

Charleston, in particular, has drawn people from around the country to work in chemical engineering and related fields, who established an amateur symphony orchestra that's now fully professional; these people also listened to music on record. Records bridge time and space. But, yes, this is a happy hunting ground for Appalachian heritage music.

You mentioned that lists from sellers can help, but items still need to be examined in person. What actually makes a seller's list useful to you?

Not much, other than saving us or them a trip for us to look things over. We discourage people from spending hours creating a list, and will happily flip through anything they want to bring in for our consideration. If a phone call is at all promising, we often go to see the records where they're stored.

Are there genres or local/regional records you pay special attention to when collections come in?

Not really. We try to offer a wide range of music, and I love to learn by listening. Having a shop has made me a more passive, curious, and I hope less hidebound record collector. That said, we strive to curate items that help show the rich, varied musical culture in our part of Appalachia.

What condition or storage problems do you see most with records that have been sitting in West Virginia homes for years?

In a lush river valley, mildew and mold are far and away the most prevalent problem with otherwise resaleable records. We go through a lot of witch hazel and paper towels, and deodorizer for harder to find items. A few years ago, we even had the irredeemably stinky jackets of some nice jazz albums laminated, and yes, they sold.

What would you want someone outside Charleston to understand about Elk City before reaching out?

For prospective sellers, that we try to treat people and the music well, both in what we pay and try to salvage from the collection. For prospective buyers, that we mean what we say on the website: this is a destination worthy record shop with items typically seen auctioned online.

How did you end up opening a record shop specifically in Charleston?

The second main goal of our business is to help Charleston and our neighborhood in particular. A good many of the other businesses featured on our website are here for the same reason. We've lived a ten minute walk from the shop for over 40 years, and Susie grew up on the other hill that's even closer.

What's a regional artist or label that locals always ask about?

Not locals necessarily, but customers from all over are appreciative of the history. Some of the artists include Hasil Adkins, Frank Hutchison, and Bill Withers. There's a small group of serious collectors of gospel music that recently have been after anything on the M & L label. I expect that my answers next year would be different, like a good friend says, "Record collecting - what a hobby!"

Is there a type of collection, such as estate sales or inherited boxes, that comes up more than people expect?

I never realized how many record collections are left behind in vacated homes or storage units.

What's the most surprising find that's come through your door?

I'm surprised just about every week by music I've never heard of, much less heard. I knew nothing of Thelma Gracen, but her Wing album knocked me out last year. Either Nestor JG-6, Coatsville Harris with John Coltrane soloing on both sides, or the cleanest reported copy of OKeh 8382 by OKeh Melody Stars would probably be the most exciting from my personal collecting perspective.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone clearing out an attic full of old records?

Get in touch with a reputable shop before yard selling, throwing them out, or spending any time on a list.

Last updated: 2026-07-02