🎵 Why Cleveland and vinyl just make sense

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: A reader said a taco spot "doesn't feel like it belongs here." She was right. In the best way 🌮

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Where would we be if not for record stores? For sure, we wouldn’t be the “Rock and Roll Capital.”

After all, it was Record Rendezvous, the legendary Prospect Avenue shop, where owner Leo Mintz started calling “race records” rock n’ roll in the 1950s.

Alan Freed picked up the baton and threw the Moondog Coronation Ball. And Cleveland came to be known as the “Cradle of Rock.”

Despite the internet and streaming, record shops still play a crucial role in spreading the gospel of music.

Central to that has been the vinyl revival – and Gotta Groove Records.

Founded in 2009, the Cleveland pressing plant started with two employees to press local releases.

Today it’s one of roughly three dozen in the United States, with daily capacity reaching 10,000 records across three shifts.

Since 2008, Record Store Day has celebrated that role of the record store – and will do so again on Saturday, when vinyl enthusiasts line up for limited edition releases at participating shops.

Many labels release discs by artists specifically for the day -- resulting in a tenfold jump in business for the shops.

Check out our guide to area record stores in The 216 Rundown section below.

Downtown was getting emptier by the month and there seemed to be no way forward.

The Great Recession of 2008 claimed thousands of jobs and one of the city’s most important companies, National City Bank. Property values collapsed; vacancies skyrocketed.

Out of ashes came opportunities – and they’ve led to Cleveland being named the top city for office-to-residential conversions in the country for the third consecutive year.

It’s become a blueprint for cities across the country – and has been hailed as a success story by the Wall Street Journal.

“While office-to-residential conversions gained national attention post-pandemic, Cleveland has spent about 50 years refining the practice. The city is considered a national leader in the space,” reports the WSJ.

It hails the preservation of historic buildings like the May Co. building and Terminal Tower – conversions that have retained their charm amid a change of purpose.

Since 2016, more than 3.5 million square feet of downtown office space has been reinvented – including iconic buildings like The Standard and the 55 and 75 Public Square buildings.

Real-estate services firm Newmark calls Cleveland a national leader in historic adaptive reuse in a report that looks at conversions from 2013-2025.

Cleveland got a shoutout from Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman for the role NASA Glenn played in the historic flight of Orion.

But our ties to the stars and moon go back further and deeper.

1903: The Wright Brothers flight in Dayton earns Ohio the title, ‘Birthplace of Aviation.”

1920: Cleveland stargazes at the Warner and Swasey Observatory in East Cleveland, which housed the largest telescope in the country.

1941: NASA’s predecessor establishes the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. It became the NASA Lewis Research Center before being renamed Glenn Research Center.

1962: Ohio native John H. Glenn Jr. is first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7.

1965: Born in Clevelander James A. “Jim” Lovell Jr. flies in Gemini 7, the first of four missions.

1968: Cleveland native Keir Dullea stars as astronaut Dave Bowman in the first big-budget sci-fi film, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.”

Blue Arrow Records: The city’s premier used record store is a treasure trove of vintage vinyl. The floor is tiled with vintage albums and there’s always a cat lounging around.

The Vinyl Groove Records: A wide-range of vinyl, new and old, spanning all genres – from jazz and soul to hip-hop. It also carries new and used stereo equipment and repairs turntables and speakers.

My Mind’s Eye Records: A massive selection of new records across all genres, making it a go-to spot for area collectors.  It also features a ton of RSD releases.

Hausfrau Record Shop: The Ohio City shop hits the sweet spot if you’re looking for punk, hardcore, post-punk, noise, obscure and experimental music. It’s next to the Capitol Theatre, so pair your visit with a movie. 

Late Nite Records: Open until midnight, this Clark-Fulton gem is ideal for night owls. It offers a solid mix of rock, hip-hop, and electronic vinyl, and you might catch a DJ spinning while you browse

 The Current Year: The selection is deep and wide – an eclectic mix of rock, lounge, psychedelia, jazz and reissues of obscure gems. The vibe and décor make it a fun trip back into another time – when record stores were hang outs.

Mistake by the Lake Records: An adventurous mix used records and vintage media like cassettes and VHS. And there’s a variety of local music, released on vinyl and cassettes.

Bent Crayon Records: A hub for experimental, electronic, and avant-garde sounds. Owner John Cellura knows his music inside and out – and offers a dive into it that’s deeper than any other store you’ll find.

Record Den: An institution rolls out a crazy selection of new and old vinyl and goes all out on Record Store Day. It will have more than 400 RSD releases – so expect a big crowd on Saturday.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Cleveland has several restaurants that have perfected the Mexican street treat, but actual taco stands?

This isn’t L.A. or San Diego.

But Locos Street Tacos & Burritos feels like some place you’d find in Cali. Especially after trying the crispy, pan-fried tortillas while munching on the birria tacos.

Opened in 2023, the West Sider has become a go-to hidden gem for its tacos. The sun, breeze and old-timey vibes – not to mention the ice cream – makes this spot feel like summer.

A 1970s photo of Record Rendezvous — the Prospect Avenue record shop that is considered the cradle of rock ‘n’ roll. Leo Mintz opened it in 1938, before moving to 300 Prospect Avenue in 1945, which is where the store sat until it closed in 1987.

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75 °F 🌡️ 66 °F | ⛈️ (Scattered Thunderstorms) | 80% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

74 °F 🌡️ 59 °F | 🌧️➡️⛈️ (Showers & PM Storms) | 60% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph (≈ 13 knots)

66 °F 🌡️ 57 °F | ☁️➡️🌧️ (Mostly Cloudy / Scattered Showers) | 30% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph (≈ 7 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. Cardinals, 1:15 PM April 15 (Wednesday)

Home vs. Orioles, 6:10 PM April 16 (Thursday)

Home vs. Orioles, 6:10 PM April 17 (Friday)

Home vs. Orioles, 6:10 PM April 18 (Saturday)

Home vs. Orioles, 1:40 PM April 19 (Sunday)

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