Orbit Records LLC

We are open to a wide range of genres including metal, jazz, rock, soul, gospel, world, country, hip-hop, soundtracks, and blues. For any further questions or to arrange a visit, feel free to contact us directly at Orbit Records.

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Interview with Orbit Records LLC

Orbit Records is on West Grand in the Galewood/Belmont Cragin area — a Chicago neighborhood that isn't part of the usual record-store map alongside Reckless, Dusty Groove, or Bucket O' Blood. What's the origin story, and what made West Grand the right place for the shop?

Frankly - it's close to home. We started out as an online only store in 2009 with a warehouse at the old Zenith plant. We outgrew that space, and since we already had to move, decided to try a B&M store. We are (frankly again) a warehouse that is basically open to the public. We have a HUGE inventory, about ½ of which is online. New records are (mostly) in both places (store & online), while used is unique to each location, so if a customer finds an item they're interested in online, they can come into the store to purchase it but it won't be on the sales floor, since it is a unique to that entity. Grand may or may not be the right location, but it works for us. Our problem is people finding us. Google is our best friend. Not a day goes by when we don't hear someone new tell us they just found us, and comments on what a great store we have. Getting that word out is not an easy task.

Chicago's record scene is one of the deepest in the country. What role does Orbit play in that scene, and who's the customer walking through your door on West Grand that isn't already covered by the north-side and near-south shops?

We are (possibly) unique because of our wide inventory, and our wide knowledge. My first record store gig was in 1977, and I've been exposed to lots of music in my store-life. Last gig was 25 years at Jazz Record Mart, so there is a deep knowledge there. My partner also has exposure to lots of different styles. We met at Jazz Record Mart. He worked there for a few years too.

Your FAQ names specific artists you don't want — Streisand, Jerry Vale, Andy Williams, common Broadway, common soundtracks — with the honest note that there are exceptions worth showing you. What's the honest reason those specific names made the "please don't" list — is it what everyone already has stacked, or something else?

It's about being common, as well as low sellability. Many of these items are things you might find at a thrift store. We have a dollar section that may have some Streisand, etc, which we rotate every so often (and donate to the thrift stores). Also - space...we are small, and have to prioritize what we have room for. Jerry Vale does not fill that criterion. No matter how good Andy Williams was, his records just don't sell.

You've said you pay between 20% and 50% of retail depending on desirability and how fast a record will move. That's a rare thing to state that plainly. Can you walk a seller through what pushes a record toward the 50% end versus the 20% end when you're going through a box?

There are so many factors that are in play when purchasing used records. All of which I'm sure you've heard before. In short 1) desirability 2) condition 3) pressing 4) how many of an item we already have in stock. Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic may be a great album, but if we already have 4 copies on our back-stock shelves, then we're unlikely to give you 50%.

You offer a 10% bump on store credit versus cash — a modest, honest spread. When does that 10% actually make sense for a seller versus taking the cash, and what's the mix you see people actually choose?

Most folks are trying to downsize, so most don't take that bump. The ones that do are still active buyers and use the credit to enhance their collections.

Illinois has humid summers, brutal winters, and lots of basement-storage collections. What condition damage do you see most in Chicago-area collections, and what would you tell a seller to do differently going forward?

Unfortunately, we see all too many water damaged collections. Older records get relegated to the basement, where they are susceptible to that, as well as mice etc, chewing up the cardboard. Also cats love to sharpen their claws on the spines of records....shame. I would advise sellers to not put records in a basement, but if they must, then make sure they are raised up somehow to avoid getting wet. Attics are another story...heat + Lps = bad idea. We often get calls asking whether we would buy records without jackets. Undoubtedly victims of water. And no, we're not interested...

Your genre range runs from metal to gospel to world to country to hip-hop — genuinely broad. Which of those is actually moving fastest at Orbit right now, and which one keeps surprising you by staying stronger than expected?

As I'm sure most will answer; classic rock never goes away. Surprising to me is soundtracks and world music.

Opening a broadly-stocked record shop in a Chicago neighborhood that isn't part of the standard record-store circuit is a specific bet. For someone thinking about opening in an overlooked part of a big city rather than a well-trafficked one, what did you learn early on that you wish someone had told you?

Foot traffic and visibility are super important. It helps to have like-minded stores nearby; comic, toy, bookstores, or coffee shops, certainly help. Milwaukee Ave has lots of reasons to shop it. Galewood has at least 3 very good record stores within 3 or so miles of it, so if you want to make a day of it, the west side is a good bet.

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FAQ

What factors influence your interest in an LP collection?

When evaluating an LP collection, several factors are considered crucial: condition, desirability, scarcity, and how many copies of a title we already have. We place a strong emphasis on the condition of the records.

Are there any genres or types of records you do not look for?

We generally are not interested in easy listening (like Streisand, Jerry Vale, Andy Williams), most Broadway soundtracks, and common soundtracks. However, there are exceptions, and it's best to bring in your records for us to evaluate.

Do you offer any incentives for choosing store credit over cash?

Yes, we offer a 10% additional value for store credit over cash, which can be a great option if you're looking to exchange or upgrade your collection.

How can I find out if you are interested in my records?

The best way to find out if we are interested in your records is to bring them into our store. This allows us to directly assess each item's condition and fit for our current inventory needs.

Last updated: 2026-09-29

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