When Chicagoans want an aesthetic music shopping experience, they know where to go. Laurie’s Planet of Sound specializes in all things rock, pop, and indie, but it carries a wide variety of products to satisfy most customers’ needs. And it looks good while doing it.
From the outside, a combination of neon lights and an almost-retro style, space-themed logo practically scream for customers to venture in off the street. If its hip, edgy exterior doesn’t beckon passersby, then glimpses of its inside surely will. Walk inside for a warm, well-lit atmosphere with decor galore. The storefront is massive, with a well-stocked collection of shelves and bins to explore. The attention to detail is immaculate, with some vinyls dangling from the ceiling. My favorite is the adorable bin dividers modeled to look like vinyls. The many labels and adornments somehow aren’t chaotic and instead create a homey feel that made me want to stay there forever; I could sift through everything available for hours and hours on end. Not to mention, the employees are super friendly. A trip to Laurie’s Planet of Sound absolutely means a good day ahead.
With 25 years under its belt, the shop has been serving music lovers in the community since 1997, and its experience shows in its quality and carefully curated aesthetic. New and used, regular and discount prices — Laurie’s has it all. The shop buys and sells used goods, along with DVDs, books, and CDs. There’s even some fun Laurie’s Planet of Sound merchandise, like t-shirts and magnets, for sale in the store.
The shop established a sassy reputation for itself, having previously released commentary with its “DO NOT EVER BUY LIST,” jokingly dragging some artists a store employee wouldn’t quite recommend. Oh well. The store is full of so many other options, with so many custom recommendations ready to be made, that everyone can find something to buy that fits their taste. Some recent additions to the shop’s shelves include Grandaddy’s Sumday, The Watson Twins’ Holler, and even the 20th anniversary edition of MF DOOM’s Take Me To Your Leader.
The shop exudes only the coolest of vibes, yet it isn’t pretentious or intimidating for casual shoppers. All are welcome, and all should visit at least once. Laurie’s Planet of Sound is in a bustling commercial district, so for those who work up an appetite digging through the bins, there’s plenty of eateries nearby, along with a plethora of other shopping and entertainment options. You can’t go wrong in Lincoln Square. So, head down to Laurie’s location at 4639 N Lincoln Ave, within the Ravenswood neighborhood.
Laurie’s Planet of Sound opens every day at 11 a.m., and it closes at 6 p.m. on Sundays and 7 p.m. the rest of the week. With so many times to choose from, there’s no excuse not to make a trip to Lincoln Square for this iconic shop.
Connect with one of the coolest record shops in Chicago on its website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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