Record Collectors Get Lost For Hours In Crates At This Legendary Washington Shop
A stack of old albums can hold more memories than a shoebox of photos, and one Washington music shop proves it every day. Collectors walk in planning a quick look and walk out hours later with dusty fingertips and a bag full of finds.
The shelves carry everything from classic rock vinyl to CDs, cassettes, and band buttons, all at prices that feel fair. For anyone craving a cheap, nostalgic afternoon this weekend, this is the kind of stop worth the drive.
A Music Haven on North Monroe Street
Spokane has plenty of cozy corners, but few pull music fans through the door quite like the shop at 1610 N Monroe St. 4000 Holes Record Store sits on this lively stretch a short hop from downtown, and it has become a favorite stop for people who still get a thrill from flipping through album covers.
At heart, it is a music store in the classic sense. Shelves hold new and used vinyl, a big spread of CDs, cassette tapes, and a fun mix of memorabilia, T-shirts, and buttons.
Visitors often describe it as the established base for vinyl lovers in the city, the spot they measure every other shop against.
The name seems to be a playful nod to records themselves. Every album has a hole in the center, and the shop holds thousands of them, waiting for someone to take them home and drop the needle.
What makes it special is not just the stock. A quick errand here tends to turn into a long, happy afternoon of digging, chatting, and discovering music you forgot you loved.
For Washington day-trippers, that kind of easy joy is hard to beat.
Thirty-Six Years of Spinning Stories
Long before streaming apps existed, this shop was already helping Spokane build its record collections. The current owners have spoken proudly of more than 36 years of history, and they want to keep the doors open for many decades more.
Longtime shoppers still remember earlier days, when a helpful owner named Bob and his team guided newcomers into the world of vinyl. Fans from that era talk about reasonable prices, a great little layout, and a crew that made first-time collectors feel welcome.
Plenty of people admit they spent more money there than planned, and they did not regret a penny.
More recently, the store changed hands. Isaac and Matt stepped in as the new owners, and many regulars say the fresh energy has been a real boost.
Shoppers point to an expanded selection, a remerchandised sales floor, and more music arriving on a steady basis.
Change is never easy for a beloved local spot, and a few old-timers miss the way things used to feel. Still, the owners openly say they want to grow the selection while protecting the store’s vibe.
That balance of honoring the past and building something new gives the place a story worth following.
Vinyl Crates That Swallow Whole Afternoons
Ask regulars what brings them back, and the answer almost always starts with vinyl. The record selection is the single thing people rave about most, and it is easy to see why once you start flipping.
New releases share space with used finds, so one visit can cover brand-new pressings and well-loved classics. Beatles records come up often in conversation, along with Rolling Stones treasures, Pink Floyd sets, and a healthy slice of punk.
Modern artists appear too, and the shop has shipped fresh releases like Olivia Dean albums to happy buyers.
Condition matters here. Records are known for being well organized and in great shape, which takes the guesswork out of buying used.
Collectors returning to the hobby after years away have found gems like a remastered Pink Floyd The Wall set that felt worth every cent after the first spin.
Out-of-town travelers notice the depth as well, with Boise visitors finding albums they could never track down back home. That is the magic of good crates.
You come in looking for one record and leave holding three you never knew you needed.
CDs, Cassettes, and the Joy of Physical Music
Records may get the spotlight, but the compact disc section deserves its own applause. CDs are the second most talked-about part of the store, and the racks cover plenty of ground for fans who still love a jewel case and a fold-out booklet.
Mainstream rock, pop, and country are especially well represented. Big names in hard rock and metal show up too, including bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest.
Heavier and more underground metal titles can be thinner on the shelves, though the owners are eager to fill gaps when customers send suggestions.
Cassette tapes add another layer of fun. For anyone who grew up rewinding tapes with a pencil, spotting a rack of cassettes feels like opening a time capsule.
Kids raised on streaming may find them charmingly odd.
The owners have also worked to boost both new and used CD titles in recent months. That means the selection keeps shifting, and a return trip may turn up something that was not there before.
Budget-minded shoppers often appreciate CDs as a lower-cost way to own an album without giving up that satisfying physical copy.
Band Tees, Buttons, and Rock Memorabilia
Walls covered in music history can make a store feel like a mini museum, and that is part of the charm here. Alongside the albums, shoppers find memorabilia, T-shirts, buttons, and other music-related goodies that turn browsing into a scavenger hunt.
Longtime record fans say the shop reminds them of the stores they loved in the 1970s, only cooler thanks to all the memorabilia. Rolling Stones collectors have walked away happy with related items, and fans of many other bands can usually find a little something to show off their taste.
Buttons make a fun, low-cost souvenir. A handful can dress up a backpack, jean jacket, or tote bag, and they are easy gifts for teens just discovering classic rock.
Band shirts work the same way, letting fans wear a favorite album right on their chest.
For families visiting together, this corner of the store can bridge generations. Grandparents might spot a band they saw in concert decades ago, while grandkids pick a shirt from a group they found online.
Everyone leaves with a story, and maybe a new favorite song to share on the drive home.
Special Orders and Shipping for Hard-to-Find Titles
Nothing stings like searching every bin and coming up empty. Here, that is not the end of the road, because the owners are happy to special order albums that are not already on the shelves.
Shoppers have praised how easily the team can custom order just about anything they want. The owners also invite customers to share suggestions, and they have already brought in several metal bands after hearing requests.
It is a small-shop approach that makes the inventory feel shaped by the people who shop there.
There are limits. Distributors decide what a store can actually get, and some popular bands stay on backorder for months or are not offered at all.
The owners have been upfront that this is often why certain titles are missing from other stores too.
Online orders are another bonus. Buyers describe records arriving quickly and in perfect condition, which is reassuring for anyone who worries about vinyl getting bent in the mail.
So if a specific album is on your wish list, it never hurts to ask. A friendly conversation at the counter may be all it takes to get that record headed your way.
Selling Your Stacks and Friendly Price Talk
Got a closet full of old records gathering dust? 4000 Holes is a place to sell as well as buy, which makes it a handy stop for anyone downsizing, cleaning out a basement, or simply ready to trade old favorites for something new.
Sellers describe the owner as a cool person to talk to and relaxed when it comes to negotiating prices. That laid-back approach takes a lot of stress out of the process.
Nobody wants to feel rushed when parting with music that once meant a lot to them.
The shop welcomes all kinds of music products and related items. Records, CDs, and other music gear can all be part of the conversation, so bringing in a box to see what interests them is worth a try.
The owners say they enjoy seeing customers come in, whether selling or buying.
For retirees on a fixed budget, this can be a smart move. Selling a few forgotten albums may help fund your next round of crate digging.
It is a simple way to keep the music moving, letting old favorites find new homes with fresh fans across Spokane.
Fair Prices in a Collector-Priced World
Online marketplaces can make vintage vinyl feel wildly expensive. Walk into this shop, though, and the price tags tend to tell a friendlier story.
Visitors repeatedly call the pricing fair and reasonable. Shoppers who compare in-store prices with so-called collector pricing online often find the shop comes out ahead, even on fairly standard albums.
The owners say their goal is to keep prices fair so customers get the most bang for their buck.
Not every record is a bargain-bin find, of course. Special editions and big remastered sets carry higher price tags, and some collectors admit paying more than ever before for a prized set.
Even then, they tend to feel the purchase was worth it once the music started playing.
Regulars have a simple strategy. Some stop in whenever they have a little extra money, knowing they will almost always walk out with something great.
Others keep a list and chip away at it one album at a time.
For families and retirees watching every dollar, that mix of affordable used stock and splurge-worthy pieces works well. Set a small budget, enjoy the hunt, and head home happy.
Browsing Layout: Bookshelves Now, Bins Someday
Honesty makes a shop easier to love, and the owners here are refreshingly open about their layout. Right now, much of the new vinyl sits in a bookshelf-style system rather than the classic flip-through bins many collectors grew up with.
Not everyone is a fan. Some browsers find it harder to scan records, especially for artists who lack their own labeled section and end up grouped under a general letter.
Used vinyl tends to be easier to browse, according to regular crate diggers.
The owners have explained that the shelves are a temporary fix for the space they have. One long-term goal is to return to the bin system, which should make flipping faster and more fun.
In the meantime, they try to keep bands together within each letter, even when only one person is working the floor.
Here is a handy tip. Everything on the shelves is tracked in the store’s inventory system, so staff can quickly tell you whether a specific album is in stock.
Asking can save plenty of searching.
Patient browsers often enjoy the slower pace anyway. Sometimes the best finds happen when you are not in a hurry.
Staff Who Remember What You Love
Friendly faces are a big part of why people linger for hours. Staff kindness ranks among the most common things visitors bring up, right after the music itself.
First-time guests have been greeted at the door and even given a personal tour of the store by the owners. Isaac, in particular, is known as a blast to talk music with, and shoppers describe him going above and beyond to help people track down what they need.
Travelers who pass through only twice a year say the owner has patiently searched the shelves right alongside them.
Regulars get an extra perk. Staff members remember their tastes, offer recommendations, and give a heads-up when something they might like arrives.
The owners say that getting to know customers helps them choose what to buy, so frequent visits actually shape the stock.
The overall atmosphere feels laid back and welcoming. Nobody seems to judge whether you are an audiophile or a total beginner.
That easy warmth makes it simple to ask questions, share a favorite band, or spend a few extra minutes chatting at the counter before heading back into the stacks.
Who Will Feel Right at Home Here
Seasoned collectors are an obvious match, but the crowd here is wonderfully mixed. Beginners who have just bought their first turntable find a patient team ready to point them toward great starter albums.
Then there are the returning fans. Plenty of shoppers walk in after years away from record stores and describe the visit as a flood of happy memories.
Some decide to come after reading about the shop in the Inlander, then end up having the time of their lives in the aisles.
Travelers love it too. Visitors from out of town, including folks driving up from Boise, treat it as a must-see stop, and locals often bring weekend guests here.
Families can make it a fun, affordable afternoon. Kids get to see and hold music in physical form, while parents and grandparents share the stories behind the album covers.
Retirees looking for low-cost entertainment will appreciate that browsing is completely free, and a single used record or button makes a memorable souvenir.
Fans of any genre are welcome. Whether your heart belongs to country, classic rock, punk, or pop, the shelves offer something worth exploring.
Hours, Days, and Getting to North Monroe
Timing a visit is simple once you know the schedule. The shop opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, giving shoppers a solid seven hours to dig through the crates.
Sundays are the one day off, so plan weekend trips for Saturday. Arriving close to opening may mean a quieter floor and more room to browse, which helps if you want time to chat with staff about special orders.
The address is 1610 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99205. The store sits along the North Monroe corridor, an easy drive from downtown Spokane and a convenient stop for anyone exploring eastern Washington.
Shoppers coming across the state line from Coeur d’Alene can fold it into a larger day of errands or sightseeing, too.
Bring a rough budget and a wish list if you have one. Since pricing is known for being fair, a modest amount can go a long way, especially in the used sections.
If you have records to sell, pack them in a sturdy box. That way, your trip can double as a chance to trade in old favorites.
A Soft Verdict for Crate Diggers
Good record stores are measured in hours lost, and by that standard, 4000 Holes delivers. Between the deep vinyl crates, the surprisingly large CD selection, and the memorabilia scattered around the room, it is easy to glance at the clock and realize the afternoon has slipped away.
The store is not perfect, and it does not pretend to be. The shelf layout is still a work in progress, and certain niche genres can be hard to find in person.
Yet the owners respond with openness, special orders, and a clear plan to keep improving.
What shines most is the people. From knowledgeable owners to staff who remember your favorite bands, the shop runs on genuine enthusiasm for music and the folks who love it.
Fair prices and a buy-and-sell counter make it friendly to nearly every budget.
For Washington families, retirees, and nostalgic day-trippers, it offers an affordable adventure that fits into a single Saturday. Grab your wish list, bring a curious ear, and give yourself extra time.
Chances are you will leave with a record under your arm and a plan to come back soon.