3hive Record Lounge

3hive Record Lounge grew out of a music blog that started in 2004, then became a physical shop in Provo for records, radio, local artists, listening parties, and community. In 2025, 3hive moved to Center Street downtown, into a much larger space with B-Side HiFi upstairs and plans for a Radio 3hive studio.

Interview with 3hive Record Lounge

3hive started as a beloved music blog back in 2004, long before the brick-and-mortar. How did it grow from writing about music to selling it?

The blog was always about sharing music we loved, and the store became a physical extension of that. Instead of just telling people what to listen to, we could put the record in their hands—and give them a local, physical place to keep discovering and communing with other people who care about music.

Radio 3hive’s tagline is “Escape the Algorithm.” How does that idea shape the way you curate the shop?

Everything in the shop is chosen by a person with a point of view. We stock plenty of records people already love, but we also want every visit to introduce you to something you weren’t looking for.

You just moved to Center Street in downtown Provo in 2025. How’s the new space changed things?

It’s about three times the size of our old shop, and we’re now on the busiest walking street in downtown Provo, which has dramatically increased our visibility and foot traffic. Upstairs, B-Side HiFi has built an amazing listening room, and we’re planning a Radio 3hive studio alongside it. Having that much music, community, and culture under one roof has been incredible.

You’ve talked about being a “third space” for Provo—not home, not work. What does that mean in practice?

It means you don’t have to buy something to feel welcome here. People come to browse, talk about music, catch a show, attend a listening party, or just see who else is around.

You take no cut on local artists’ physical media—every dollar goes back to them. How did you land on that policy?

Local artists are already doing the hardest part: making the music and building a following. Giving them shelf space, introducing them to new listeners, and sending every dollar back to them is one direct way we can help.

Alongside handpicked new and used vinyl, you carry turntables, books, zines, and cassettes. What’s been quietly strong lately?

CDs have taken off, especially with younger customers. They’ve gone from a small part of the shop to a meaningful percentage of our sales, which has been really interesting to watch. The two main drivers seem to be portability and cost.

When someone wants to sell records, what’s the best way to start—and what makes a collection an easy yes for a shop as curated as yours?

Honestly, condition is a big factor for us. People expect us to do some quality control on their behalf, and if records look like they’ve been neglected for years, we may just pass on them. We do love seeing a good specialized collection come in—jazz, rap, ambient, metal, country, whatever it may be. No matter what, we recommend bringing records into the shop and letting us take a look. We can generally process small buys on the spot; if it’s a large collection, you’ll leave it with our buyer, who will get back to you within a week with an offer.

First visit to 3hive—what should someone dig through first?

Most of the time we’re playing Radio 3hive in the store, which is a great way to hear the local, independent, and emerging music our staff is excited about. I’d also check out the records signed by artists who’ve recently come through Utah; we do about 100 signings a year. And don’t skip the discount bins — even I’m sometimes surprised by the deals hiding in there!

FAQ

Where is 3hive Record Lounge now located?

3hive has moved to 71 E. Center Street in downtown Provo, Utah.

Does 3hive support local artists?

Yes. 3hive says it takes no cut on local artists’ physical media, so every dollar goes back to the artists.

Can sellers bring records into 3hive?

Yes. Small buys can generally be processed on the spot, while large collections may be left with the buyer for an offer within a week.

Last updated: 2026-08-17

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