Green Street Grooves

Green Street Grooves is a Melrose record shop with a Boston-area customer base and a steady flow of used vinyl coming through the back room. The shop sees familiar collector demand across punk, heavy metal, hip-hop, 90s rock, classic rock, and 1950s and 1960s small-group jazz.

The store has a practical, bins-first feel: regulars keep coming back because new used stock keeps moving in, while bargain hunters can still work through imperfect copies in the $2 bins. For sellers, the best collections tend to come from serious longtime collectors whose records were bought widely and kept in good condition.

Interview

Melrose is close to Boston but clearly its own place. How does that neighborhood rhythm shape what people buy from you?

It's not a lot different. No matter where the shop is, a lot of people are looking for punk, heavy metal, hip-hop, 90s rock, etc. We probably do sell a lot more popular "classic" rock -- stuff like Steve Miller and Boston, etc -- in the suburbs than we did in Somerville.

What do your customers ask for that a Cambridge or Allston shop might not expect?

Lilke I said above, most vinyl hunters are after expected artists and categories. Jazz -- small groups from the 50s and 60s -- is another one people look for.

A lot of your stock probably comes from people nearby downsizing. What's the best way for someone to approach you about selling, and what makes a record an easy yes?

I encourage people to call the shop (781-620-0233). The easy, "must buy" collections, probably not surprisingly, come from big collectors. They bought a lot and didn't wear out their handful of records, and are more likely to have the once-obscure and now in-demand stuff. Like an old-time college radio fan with lots of imports.

Are there genres where your regulars really care about pressing and condition, versus ones where a good playable copy wins?

Some customers just want to get a lot of records and will seek out imperfect copies from our $2 bins. But most customers in all genres want stuff in good shape.

How do you keep the bins feeling fresh for regulars who stop in every week?

We get enough that there is a backlog in our back room, and it rarely slows down.

Any North Shore or Boston-area music connections that matter to the store?

I don't have an old band that people would remember or anything like that. I was a DJ on WZBC in the 1980s.

Has a record or collection ever felt especially Melrose to you?

Not really apart from the one 45 we got recorded at a Melrose address (Washington Street) in 1979. (Cane & Able, "Citizen of Babylon")

What should a first-time visitor know before stopping in?

We're closed Sundays and Mondays, and the CD selection is small.

FAQ

Where is Green Street Grooves located?

Green Street Grooves is located on Green Street in Melrose, Massachusetts, just outside Boston.

What does Green Street Grooves stock?

The shop focuses on used vinyl, with demand around punk, heavy metal, hip-hop, 90s rock, classic rock, and small-group jazz from the 1950s and 1960s.

Does Green Street Grooves buy used records?

Yes. Sellers are encouraged to call the shop first at 781-620-0233, especially for larger collections.

What kinds of collections are strongest for the shop?

Collections from serious longtime collectors tend to be strongest, especially when they include imports, once-obscure titles, and records that were kept in good condition.

What should visitors know before going?

Green Street Grooves is closed Sundays and Mondays, and the CD section is small.

Last updated: 2026-07-09