Apollo Records

Apollo Records in Chillicothe is a dedicated small-town record shop that draws customers from the surrounding towns and cities because there are not many other record stores within a 45-minute drive. The shop carries new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, movies, and more, with a strong focus on classic rock but room for rock, pop, metal, punk, soundtracks, blues, jazz, psych, local artists, and whatever good collections come through the door.

Interview with Apollo Records

Chillicothe is a different world from running a record shop in Columbus or Cincinnati. What does being the local shop there mean day to day?

We are definitely in a smaller town and not as big of an operation as a big city store, but we still stay busy and get decent traffic coming in. We get a good amount of customers from the surrounding towns and cities as well due to us being the only dedicated record shop within a 45-minute drive.

Your listing mentions you mainly buy 33s depending on artist and condition. What's worth bringing in right now?

I am always on the hunt for good rock, pop, metal, punk, soundtracks, blues, jazz, psych, and more.

You've got a jazz section even though it's not the biggest part of the store. What do local customers actually ask for most?

I would say my biggest selling genre would be classic rock. 60s through the 90s always sells very well.

What condition issues usually make you pass on a record, even when the artist is a good one?

If a record is too scratched up, I usually will pass on it. Sometimes I may still take them even if they are not in the greatest shape and sell them at a cheap price. I usually pass on moldy records, and the dreaded cat urine records too. It happens more often than you think.

If someone around Chillicothe has boxes of records from the 60s through 80s, what should they tell you before hauling them in?

I usually like when people give me an idea of what artists they have so I can get a clue if it is going to be good stuff.

How long have you been running the shop, and what's changed the most?

I have been here for a little over 10 years now. The shop has changed a ton since I first opened. I have expanded every selection, and I probably have five times the inventory now compared to when I started.

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

The alien I have sitting in a lawn chair by the door usually surprises a lot of people when they walk in. But I also hear a decent amount of people surprised by the selection I have for being a small shop in a small town, and I try to price my stuff cheaper than a lot of other shops.

Is there a genre you wish more people brought in?

I would love to get more good used jazz and blues, but for some reason that stuff seems to be few and far between for this area.

What's a common mistake sellers make with pricing or expectations?

eBay. People get very high expectations when they look up a record and someone is trying to sell it on eBay for $500, when in reality it sells for $20.

What would you want someone passing through Chillicothe to know about Apollo Records?

I work hard to keep a good selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, movies, and more. And there is a friendly, fat, little black cat that lives here.

FAQ

What kinds of records does Apollo Records buy?

Apollo Records mainly buys 33 rpm records, depending on the artist and condition. The shop is especially interested in good rock, pop, metal, punk, soundtracks, blues, jazz, psych, and related genres.

What genre sells best at Apollo Records?

Classic rock is the strongest seller, especially records from the 1960s through the 1990s.

What condition issues can make Apollo Records pass on a record?

Records with heavy scratches, mold, or strong odors are usually hard to buy. The shop may still take some lower-condition records if they can be sold cheaply, but condition matters.

What should sellers mention before bringing in boxes of records?

Sellers should give Apollo Records an idea of which artists are in the collection before hauling boxes into the shop. That helps the store understand whether the collection is likely to be a good fit.

What should visitors expect at Apollo Records?

Visitors can expect a small-town shop with a broad selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, movies, and more, plus prices that aim to stay lower than many larger shops.

Last updated: 2026-07-02