Out of the Past Records

Out of the Past Records occupies ten rooms on West Madison Street in Chicago, stocked with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, books, and merchandise spanning jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop, reggae, and rock. The Henderson family began selling records in 1966, with founder Charlie Joe Henderson building the store into a Chicago institution. Now run by granddaughter Annisa Gooden, the shop continues serving a global customer base that includes buyers from Germany, Japan, France, and India.

The store functions as a community gathering space featuring a Hall of Fame wall displaying photos of regular customers. Out of the Past Records hosts events including Record Store Day celebrations and operates mail-order service. The business reflects its founder's belief that music belongs to everyone, maintaining his legacy of accessibility and deep musical knowledge on the West Side.

Last updated: 2026-06-07