Bird City Records

Bird City Records in La Plata brings a record shop into a setting with its own personality: it operates inside Shop 53 Tattoo, an all-female tattoo shop. The store leans toward music from the mid-1970s forward, with especially strong demand for 80s and 90s R&B, rap, soul, funk, punk, and records that still have active local buyers. The shop carries new and used records, with more used than new, and can often special order titles quickly if something is not in stock.

Interview with Bird City Records

La Plata is a different kind of Maryland record market than Baltimore or D.C. What does your local crowd actually look for?

Right now 80s and 90s R&B and all rap are super hot. It is really fun to see such a fun mix of people and musical tastes come together.

You mentioned you're mainly interested in mid-70s and newer, and that 45s need sleeves. What led to that buying focus?

Most albums prior to the 1970s are not requested and usually stay in the shop for a while. We will soon be phasing out of 45s, again because the market for them is so small.

When someone brings records in for evaluation, what makes that process go smoothly on both ends?

We do our best to try and get back to people within 48 hours, but sometimes we get more than we can handle and it takes a little longer. Giving us the time needed is always appreciated. Also, if the records are all in the right sleeves and fairly clean, that makes the process a lot faster on our end.

Are there genres from the late 70s onward you're especially glad to see come through the door?

Soul, funk, rap, and punk.

What should a first-time seller know about condition and sleeves before they even visit?

If you need gloves to touch it or flip through it, then it probably is not worth anything.

What's a record that's been a surprisingly strong seller lately?

Michael Jackson has had a massive resurgence.

Is there a type of collection you wish more people brought in?

Punk and 80s or 90s anything.

What's the most common thing sellers get wrong before they show up?

That just because it is old means that it is worth a lot. Some records of course can be worth a lot, but for instance, the Beatles pressed so many copies that the likelihood of you having the rare one is slim.

What would you want someone outside La Plata to know about the shop?

Bird City Records is inside Shop 53 Tattoo, an all-female shop, and if the store does not have something, they can usually get it in about three days.

FAQ

What kinds of records is Bird City Records most interested in buying?

Bird City Records is mainly interested in records from the mid-1970s and newer, especially soul, funk, rap, punk, and 80s or 90s titles.

Does Bird City Records buy 45s?

The shop has been selective with 45s and prefers them with sleeves, but it is also moving toward phasing out 45s because local demand is small.

How long does record evaluation usually take?

Bird City Records tries to respond within 48 hours, though it can take longer when many collections come in at once.

What helps make an evaluation faster?

Records should be in the correct sleeves and fairly clean. Organized, clean records are easier for the shop to review.

What do sellers often misunderstand about value?

Old does not automatically mean valuable. Common records, even by famous artists like the Beatles, may not be rare because so many copies were pressed.

Last updated: 2026-07-02