Montclair Book Center

Montclair Book Center is a downtown Montclair bookstore with a long-running music section woven into the larger browsing culture of the shop. Alongside books, the store carries vinyl and CDs through a consignment-driven model that has developed over roughly two decades, with collections and contributors shaping the selection over time.

For record sellers, Montclair Book Center is different from a traditional buy-counter record shop: it does not usually buy records directly. Instead, the store points people toward trusted consignors and NJ record dealers who actively evaluate and buy collections. Playable records may sometimes be considered as donations if other avenues have been exhausted.

Interview with Montclair Book Center

You've got books, music, and browsing culture all under one roof in downtown Montclair. How did the vinyl/CD section end up part of that mix?

The original owner grew a significant vinyl collection under his tutelage, and made great relationships with other vinyl consignors. Our music is a 20-year-old work in progress that has had upwards of 10 contributors by way of selling their collections on consignment.

Your listing mentions you don't buy records directly. What should someone do instead if they've got a box of records sitting in their closet?

Our website recommends two main consignors who are actively buying records; we usually recommend they start with these resources. Although, we may be interested in them as a donation if they are in a playable condition and the person in question has exhausted other avenues.

Montclair's got a real arts-town, commuter-town vibe. Does that come through in what people are flipping through in your bins?

Definitely. People get lost in the vinyl buckets and bookshelves in equal measure, and the types of people who do this always have a fun fact to share about their selections.

Do you notice people stumbling onto records while they're really there for books, or do music folks come in on a mission?

A little bit of both. Usually though, people find records that call to them from the buckets.

Any genres or artists that just seem to do better here than they would somewhere else?

Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Mathis, Joni Mitchell, the hair-metal bands, rock and roll, and jazz, to name a few.

What's a record you've seen pass through the store recently that surprised you?

Newer artists dropping vinyl is an interesting phenomenon for me personally. Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, and Sade come to mind here.

If someone's never been to Montclair Book Center before, what should they expect walking in?

It's a lot bigger than you'd expect. We recommend you know what you want or have a few hours tucked away to explore. And, if you can't spend hours here the day you visit, you're always welcome back.

Is there a record or section in the store you're personally proud of right now?

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge by My Chemical Romance is impossible to keep in the shop. It gives me distinct pleasure that the youth is listening to the kind of music I listened to when I was their age.

What's one thing about running a bookstore-meets-record-shop that people wouldn't guess from the outside?

We love taking recommendations and adding them to our inventory. If we've got the time to chat and you're kind enough to let us know what's missing from our collection, we're always happy to curate a better selection.

Selling Records FAQ

Does Montclair Book Center purchase records directly from individuals?

Usually, no. Montclair Book Center gets its consignment vinyl through NJ record dealers and consignors rather than buying most records directly at the store.

How can I sell my records if the store does not buy directly?

The store recommends starting with the consignors or NJ record dealers listed on the Montclair Book Center website. Those dealers are actively buying records and can evaluate collections.

Can someone come to my location to evaluate my records?

Yes. The dealers listed on the store's website can come to you to evaluate a collection.

Would Montclair Book Center ever accept records as a donation?

Possibly. If the records are playable and you have already exhausted other selling options, the store may be interested in them as a donation.

What should visitors expect from the music section?

The music section is part of a larger bookstore browsing experience. Visitors often come for books and discover records along the way, while dedicated music shoppers can spend time digging through the vinyl buckets and CD selection.

Last updated: 2026-06-26