Tiny Vinyl Shop

Tiny Vinyl Shop is a small, curated record store in Washington, DC, focused on uncommon records, special orders, and a personal digging experience. In this interview, the owner talks about the shop’s Adams Morgan community and the rare finds that make the bins worth exploring.

---

Interview with Tiny Vinyl Shop

Tiny Vinyl Shop — the name owns the size. What's the story, and what does running a small, tightly curated shop let you do that a big one can't?

I'm not really privy to what the big stores are like. We can't afford to buy everything in the world so we focus on things that aren't available everywhere and those that we know our customers want. We also do special orders, which I believe is not common.

You're in Adams Morgan. What role does the shop play in that DC scene, and who's coming through?

We're right across the street from the Line Hotel and a lot of musicians stay there and sometimes come in. Recently, Lola Young stopped in. We give away free tickets for one of the local promoters. We don't do many live shows here but occasionally do.

In a small space, every record you carry is a choice. How do you decide what earns a spot in the bins?

I think I answered that above but we look for uncommon things. It's quite often that customers tell us they haven't been able to find an item anywhere else in town.

Before you've priced anything, what tips you off that a collection's worth digging into?

I can usually tell right off but sometimes the gems are buried! Not long ago I bought a fairly large lot, about 500 records. I wasn't able to go through all of them until after I'd already paid the person. There was a first pressing of Miles Davis's Kind of Blue!

What's the record people are most sure is worth money that just isn't?

Honestly, I am surprised people are paying $35 for sealed reissues of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours!

What's the record people almost leave out that you're always glad to see?

I'm not sure what you mean by this but most of the time when I visit other stores I don't see anything special. I'm pretty proud that our store has tons of rare gems!

How do customers usually pay?

The vast majority of sales are on cards and they probably never even thought about it.

DC summers are hot and humid. What condition problems do you see most, and what would you tell a seller to do differently?

Make sure your AC works well, no one wants to dig while sweating. Keep the records out of direct sunlight, obviously.

What's the most memorable record that's ever passed through the shop?

I've already mentioned the Miles Davis, that's hard to beat.

Vinyl's had a huge comeback — what keeps people coming to a shop in person instead of buying online?

I think the biggest reasons are that people really enjoy digging, buying something online lacks all thrills, and they like supporting a local business.

---

Last updated: 2026-10-13

Store owners

Add a VinylPackman badge

Use this small badge on a Press, About, Links, or News page to point visitors back to the feature.

Show badge code

Need to fix store details?

Owner or staff? Send a correction for review.

Correct this listing