Cheapo Records

I was headed to Sencha Tea for a tea-tasting event three weeks ago. I was driving along Nicollet Avenue. To my left was Cheapo Records.

OMG! I said that loudly in the car. I dropped by this store the next day after work.

I love a good music store, especially if it has used CDs, cassettes, and records. When I lived in Rochester, I would head over to Dinkytown mainly because it had a huge Cheapo Discs store.

I could easily spend an hour or two looking at the selection of CDs that were available. I'd often find gems there.

The Dinkytown location closed probably over a decade ago. I was sad. Sad, no more. It lives here in uptown Minneapolis, one of three Cheapo locations that remain in the Twin Cities.

It has changed names and is now Cheapo Records. Its online site still uses discs in its URL.

This location has a tiny parking lot. I got there at probably 4:30 pm. I had no problem finding a parking spot. Parking is free. I pulled into one and entered the store.

I was in heaven! The selection is awesome. If I wasn't flying home, I'd get records. I didn't want to take a chance getting them damaged, so I went with CDs, which is my default.

It is one of my favourite stores now. I added to my Pet Shop Boys (PSB) collection with special edition CDs that I did not previously own. The Release album had a metallic blue sleeve and was remastered. I picked that one up.

One of my favourite PSB CD covers is Very. It's bright orange and tactile. It was at this store. If I didn't own it, I would have snatched it.

I often can find CDs that I don't own, but they end up completing my collection. Erasure singles are a perfect example.

I enjoy looking at some of my favourite Canadian artists to see if I can find any special US releases. Jann Arden is a good example. I tend to own every CD by her, which was the case here. However, there was a Nelly Furtado single on CD that I picked for the ridiculous price of  $0.99.

I bought eleven CDs, with one being a two-CD set. I feel like this place needs to have baskets for folks like me as I shop.

I did spend over an hour at this store. It was comfortable and enjoyable.

You can also find record and CD players, t-shirts, accessories, and more. It's all great.

I headed up to the front to pay for my items. My items came up to $55 after tax. That's not shabby considering that a new record costs $30 these days and that's on the cheaper side of the cost spectrum.

I paid with a credit card. Done! The nice man helping me at the counter placed all my CDs in a bag. I thanked him and headed out with my music gems.

I love this store so much. I may need to visit the other two Cheapo locations when I return to the Twin Cities. Otherwise, I'll be back visiting this one because it's awesome. If you love music, you must come here. I highly recommend it.

(98)

Best used classical CD selection in town. Which ain't necessarily saying much but I always manage to find a few discs I like. I see "new" used classical in the racks every few weeks so semi decent turnover. Prices on the used classical CDs are fair. They do not sell new classical at all. Classical vinyl selection is poor. The majority of the Hip Hop CDs they sell are new and fairly expensive. Staff have always been friendly. Very utilitarian space. The Fetus and other places feel like legit record stores. Cheapo feels like an old Walgreens. Ample florescent lighting.

AWESOME place!!! It has amazing selection of t-shirts, posters, CDs and vinyls. It has that vibe of Tower Records and Amoeba Records, so Cheapo Records won't disappoint you at all. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. This place is treasure to the music community!!! I highly recommend!

Great posters. Super swaggy. Staff helpful. Liked the cups and t-shirts too. Prince poster awesome. Best poster selection around.

Amazing selection of CDs which are a little harder to find in the vinyl resurgence. However they have a great selection of other formats, new and used. They also had plenty of other memorabilia and media care products such as plastic vinyl sleeves, and replacement jewel cases. The prices are not outrageous and found used CDs from the price 95¢ to $4.95. One of the top record stores I have visited in the country. Clean, organized and easy to navigate. Hope to visit with soon, one of the best record stores I have visited in the nation.

I am always looking for that rare item to add to it my vinyl collection so wherever I go I like to check out the local 'wrecka stow'. I had never heard of Cheapo Discs but happened to be walking to another nearby business, saw this and immediately made a beeline directly to it.

As I walked along the outside making my way to the entrance, I was impressed with how big this place seemed to be. Once inside, I was pleased to see that it was as spacious as it seemed form the outside. From what I could determine, they make very good use of every inch of space that they have.

They have a very wide selection of music, t-shirts, posters, etc. available. From what I could determine the music seemed to be a fairly even split between vinyl and CD and included both new and used items. The music is divided into genres and each genre seemed to have a decent inventory. There is also a section a nice sized DVD section.

I chatted with a few staff members and they were all very welcoming. One even shared a little history on where they were located prior to moving to this store several years ago. He also shared a story of when Prince stopped in (at the previous location) which made for a nice touch to my visit.

While I did not purchase any vinyl on this visit, I did pick up a t-shirt and a poster, this 'wrecka stow' is on my list to check out the next time I am in the Minneapolis area.

Honestly not my favorite store in Minneapolis.  It feels like a combination of Everyday Music (EM) in Portland/Seattle and Amoeba in SF/Berkeley/Hollywood, in that is feels like a chain store (it is) and therefor not managed by folks with deep interest.  It also tries to be all things - IE, not exclusively used vinyl but DVDs, CDs, T-shirts, posters, etc.  If you want those things fine, but if you want used collectible vinyl, meh - maybe not the best.  Finally, like Amoeba they seal some of their records so that a potential buyer can't look at the vinyl until they are at the counter - I guess this is needed because they are a warehouse sized space.

That said, you can hit their recent arrivals (arranged be day of the week ala EM) in a fairly efficient way, and they do get some desirable vinyl in, and their prices are reasonable.  So 3 stars.  Have been twice, will likely go back when I am next in the lovely twin cities, which I mean sincerely.

Great new selection of albums....but there's nothing cheapo about them.  Hands down most expensive record store I've been in.

Phenomenal selection of new and used CDs, LPs, T-shirts, posters, DVDs, even cassette tapes! Staff is very chill and knowledgeable. Stock constantly changing, so visit often. Great eateries nearby--one of my Record Store Day staples in the Twin Cities!

The name says it all. This has to be my favorite bare bones music,t-shirts and posters place...period. I love the set up it ID's your genre and breaks it down to the artist. The store is half Wax half CD. A lot of music for everyone ..new and used. Prices here are reasonable but can get pricey based on your palette. They also sell DVD's new and used  of movies and TV shows lined out in the back of establishment...posters for $7.99. Check this place out parking on the side of building.