Goldmine Records

Goldmine Records has been pleasing inner-north audiophiles for decades. The original shop, tucked into North Carlton’s San Remo Ballroom, opened back in 1992. When it became available for purchase in 2008, local vinyl buff Ben Hill snapped it up. He’d been working in record stores ever since his teenage years, and always fancied owning his own place. A few years later he’d have two, with a second location opening in North Fitzroy. Both are still going strong.

The North Carlton spot has a bit of everything: a good selection of wax (both new and used), CDs, DVDs, band tees and bags.

North Fitzroy is more focused on vinyl and has a deeper, more esoteric mix of genres. It also has Noodle and Spud – a Dalmatian-Bull Arab dog and a shorthaired tabby cat – to “help” you with your dig. There are also vintage turntables, amps, speakers and hi-fi accessories, which come with a 10 per cent discount if bought together. If you have a warped record you can also get it flattened for a tenner.

Hill and his team will happily buy parts of your collection if you’ve got something of value – they’ll even come to your house if you can’t make it to either shop.