Canandaigua Record Exchange

Canandaigua Record Exchange is a Finger Lakes record shop built around new releases, used-bin discovery, and a real trade-in culture. The store serves year-round local regulars, visitors passing through Canandaigua, and shoppers from both Rochester and Syracuse who want a record store closer to the lakes.

Interview with Canandaigua Record Exchange

The Finger Lakes mixes year-round locals with waves of visitors. Do those two groups browse differently?

My year round locals, tend to come in for new releases (both new music releases and new Used Record drops) either from social media posts or seeing something in the newsletter that catches their eye. Many of the regulars also have new music releases on Reserve for release day and are just more in tune with what’s coming in to the store vs. the out of town folks who just want to check out the vibe of the store in general. The out of town visitors also are captivated by just seeing a record store as where they are from my not have a record store in operation and its a trip down memory lane for them. Of course the ones who come to down and immediately search to see if a store is close by are excited to hit the bins and see what they can find out in the wild, regardless if its new or used.

What does the "Exchange" part mean in practice - buying, trading, store credit, all of it?

Growing up in Canandaigua, my life changed musically with the discovery of 90.5 WBER - The Only Station That Matters - out of Rochester, NY. WBER introduced me to Violent Femmes, Pop Will Eat Itself, Tackhead, Jane’s Addiction, King Missile, Nine Inch Nails, all stuff that wasn’t being played on regular radio in the Rochester market. As soon as we had access to cars we made many trips to Rochester to hit up all the record stores and my favorite was Lakeshore Record Exchange. Lakeshore stocked the albums played on WBER. Canandaigua Record Exchange is a homage to my favorite record store growing up.

The Exchange part of the name isn’t just in tribute, you can bring in records to trade in. I will buy records for cash for those no longer collecting (or left with collections from loved ones) or give store credit on trade ins for those who are looking for something new for their collection. Of course the majority of my sales have nothing to do with exchanging or trading in records, I’m first and foremost a Record Store who is always interested in looking at records and collections to stock the used bins with.

What genres do especially well in a Finger Lakes shop?

They all do well. Canandaigua is located in between Rochester (about 40 minutes) and Syracuse (an hour), opening the store here gives those in the Finger Lakes a place to shop right in their backyard. My most consistent selling album - Arctic Monkeys’ AM. I’m always restocking that (in fact I have to again as just a few hours ago I sold another copy and am now out of my latest batch). I participate in Record Release and Listening Parties and some of my biggest attended ones include Noah Kahan, Ghost, Twenty One Pilots, Olivia Rodrigo, Metallica, Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson), Vince Guaraldi, Sabrina Carpenter, Angine De Poitrine and next week is one for Jack White which I’m expecting a good crowd for.

Canandaigua Record Exchange is a judgement free zone - I will get customers whatever it is they are looking for and I stock the store so there is something for everyone in the bins whether you’re looking for the latest Modest Mouse, Kurt Vile or Kpop Demon Hunters releases. The recent Chess reissues of the Real Folk Blues albums featuring Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker have also done well, and of course Grateful Dead, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Beatles, Fleetwood Mac go out just as quickly as me stocking them in. I’m also an Authorized Blue Note Dealer and regular stock in Blue Note Tone Poet and Classic Vinyl releases as well as the upcoming Blue Note Essentials series. I truly have something for everyone in the bins.

When someone wants to sell or trade, what should they bring or describe first?

Records are heavy … most times collections that come in aren’t records anyone is looking for. Knowing that I much prefer seeing a list of the albums you’re looking to trade in, especially if it’s a good amount of albums. I’d much rather save you hauling them to the store and just back out again if I can. Knowing the condition of the albums helps, though usually I still need to see them as the standard answer is usually “Oh, they are in great condition” and they show up and they’re not. Also knowing the artists in the collection is something that gives a good gauge of the overall vibe and is something else I ask when people inquire.

Old home collections are your bread and butter, I'd guess. What condition issues matter most when you're evaluating one?

My bread and butter is actually new releases and reissues. While I do have used records, CDs and cassettes, the majority of my sales come from the New Side of the store. With that said, condition matters, many times I turn away collections just because they are too well loved (played). Unfortunately, this is more of a common occurrence than people may realize.

What do people underestimate about running a record store in a smaller city?

Canandaigua Record Exchange just celebrated 6 years in business this past June, and people are still surprised that records are “back” and that little old Canandaigua can support a record store. Not only do the surrounding towns and villages around Canandaigua support the store, but I have regulars from both Rochester and Syracuse, as well as many from across the country that have stopped in while visiting the area. If you know anyone from Alaska, Wyoming or Kansas have them stop in so I can add them to my map - they are the last three states I do not have visitors from.

People do need to remember that being in a smaller city also means smaller budgets to stock albums, whether they are new or used. I can always bring in a new release if I know someone wants it beforehand. Unfortunately crystal ball technology still has a long way to go before becoming useful, but I can’t stock every release in, or I may sell my last copy of something 30 minutes before another person comes in looking for it.

First visit - what should someone know before stopping in?

You never know what you’ll find in the bins, both new and used. If I don’t have something you’re looking for, especially new records or reissues, I am more than happy to get a copy in for you and usually do so in a week or less. Every Thursday my new releases arrive, and I joke that every Thursday is like Christmas. The regulars know that their special order for the weekend will be in Thursday afternoon and are awaiting the message from the store to come in and pick up their new favorite record (at least for that week).

FAQ

Does Canandaigua Record Exchange buy or trade records from individuals?

Yes. The shop buys records for cash and can also offer store credit for trade-ins.

What records are they most interested in?

They are particularly interested in records from the late 60s to current, including Rock, Psych, Prog, Funk, Punk, Modern, Indie, and Jazz.

Are there records they are not interested in?

They have zero interest in 78RPM records.

How much does condition matter?

Condition matters a lot. The shop may pass on records that are too worn or too well loved, and payouts depend heavily on condition.

What is the best first step before bringing in a larger collection?

For larger collections, a list of albums is useful before hauling everything in. Artist names and honest condition notes help the shop judge whether the collection is likely to fit.

Last updated: 2026-07-16