Paramount Record Shop

Paramount Record Shop is a Watertown, Wisconsin store offering new vinyl and a curated selection of used original pressings. It also carries local records and CDs, alongside guitars, repairs, and recording services.

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Interview with Paramount Record Shop

Paramount Record Shop carries a large selection of original pressings alongside new vinyl from boutique and import labels, and every used record is cleaned and bagged. What is the story of building the shop that way in Watertown?

Actually we have about 20,000 titles in stock. The ratio is 25% new [mostly boutique labels] and 75% used and collectable. Our selection process is fairly rigid as the majority of our used product is VG+ or better. All used records are cleaned and bagged and our store is carefully curated so it is easy to find what you are looking for.

Downtown Watertown and East Main Street have their own thing — the Rock River, the historic downtown, the walk between the shops. For someone driving out from Madison or Milwaukee for the shop, what else in Watertown is worth their afternoon?

Our neighborhood includes a 3 story bookstore/coffee house, a boutique bakery, a dairy bar, a shoe store, and the oldest furniture store in Wisconsin.

Between the Watertown locals, Madison and Milwaukee day-trippers, and the wider south-central Wisconsin crowd, you catch a wide range. Who ends up as the Paramount regular, and how has that shaped what you stock?

Our location is dead center between Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago. We have been in business 43 years and have a devout clientele spawning generations. We also attract lots of new, young buyers simply because we have such a vast selection. We do not sell records on line, so all of our treasure goes right into the bins and our customers know that. We send out flip videos on a regular basis so our core clientele can see what new arrivals are coming in.

Rock, jazz, blues, vocal, reggae, country, bluegrass, world, celtic — that's genuinely one of the widest buying lists I've seen. What made you commit to that breadth rather than picking a specialty, and how do you actually keep up across all of those?

Our selection is vast with sections devoted to many genres of music that are often overlooked such as Rockabilly, Surf, Soundtracks, World, etc., as well as a huge Jazz section.

VG+ or better as your condition line is standard, but "all used vinyl is cleaned and bagged" as your standard is not. What does that cleaning process actually look like, and what have you learned about cleaning that sellers should never try themselves?

All of our used stock is inspected and cleaned by hand. Quality control is a priority.

When customers are weighing cash against store credit at Paramount, what is the honest case for taking credit?

Most of the collections we buy are outright cash offers. We do occasionally offer store credit, but buying large estate collections is always our focus.

Your extensive local records/CDs section — 60s to present, Watertown and Wisconsin — is a real archive. What's a Wisconsin or Watertown record that always surprises out-of-town buyers, and what quietly turns out to be worth more than sellers expect there?

We do have an extensive local collection spanning from the 60's-90's. We recently acquired a sealed copy of "The Corporation" on Cuca records.

Your email domain hints at a guitar shop connection. If Paramount lives alongside a guitar business, how do those two feed each other, and what's the wildest single record or item that's come through the door?

We have over 100 one of a king Luthier built guitars in stock. While our Record business is primarily walk in, we ship guitars all over the world. We also have a repair shop on the premises, and a state of the art recording studio. We also stock some collectable, vintage guitars as well.

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FAQ

What condition do records need to be in for Paramount Record Shop to consider buying them?

Paramount Record Shop buys records in VG+ or better condition.

What genres of records does Paramount Record Shop buy?

The shop buys rock, jazz, blues, vocal, reggae, country, bluegrass, world, and Celtic records. Staff need to see records in person to evaluate them.

What are Paramount Record Shop's hours?

The shop is open Thursday and Friday from 12–5, and Saturday from 11–4. Appointments on other days may also be available.

Does Paramount Record Shop offer store credit?

The shop can make a cash offer or offer store credit, which is usually about 20–25% higher.

What can customers find at Paramount Record Shop?

Paramount Record Shop carries new vinyl, mainly from smaller boutique and import labels, as well as approximately 8,000 quality original pressings. Its selection includes rock, pop, jazz, world, blues, bluegrass, country, classical, and more. Used vinyl is cleaned and bagged.

Does Paramount Record Shop carry local music?

Yes. The shop has an extensive selection of local records and CDs from the 1960s to the present.

How can customers contact Paramount Record Shop?

Customers can email or call with questions. Kenn can be reached at 608-513-1158.

Last updated: 2026-10-18

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