The quick answer: The best independent record stores north of Boston are Dyno Records in Newburyport MA, Welfare Records in Haverhill MA, Music DNA in Methuen MA and Rosebud Records in Portsmouth NH. Pair each one with the closest local bookstore and coffee shop for an easy Saturday.
Before you fall for the house, fall for the Saturday.
You found a house you love online. You're excited, and maybe a little nervous. Will you love the town too?
Here's a trick we give every family. Go spend a Saturday there first. Find a record store, a bookstore and a coffee shop. They tell you who lives there and what they care about. We call it the trifecta.
If you're torn between two towns, you aren't alone. Most of our buyers feel that way. This guide gives you a Saturday in each one. Every pick is independent or a very small local chain. When a town is missing one of the three, you'll get the closest one nearby.
A record store, a bookstore and a coffee shop will tell you who lives there.
Newburyport MA has all three within a few blocks. Amesbury MA is about 10 minutes away, so you can add a second record store to the same morning. You'll park once at the Tannery mill and get books and coffee under one roof.
Open the Newburyport MA and Amesbury MA loop in Google Maps
Newburyport MA
A Newburyport MA staple for decades. You'll find jazz, blues, rock, soul and folk, plus turntables and strings. Fans say the staff will even look at a turntable that's acting up.
“Dyno is the best vinyl and music shop in the area.”
Google review
Ten minutes away: Mel's Record Shop, 4 Water St, Amesbury MA, (978) 792-5740. Small, tidy and full of new and used vinyl, with a deep wall of used CDs. Map
Newburyport MA
It fills a converted mill by the water. You'll find a used section in the back and a shop dog. Plan to lose track of time.
Also downtown: Illume Books, 10 Market Square, Newburyport MA, with author events, book clubs and board games. Map
Newburyport MA
It's in the same mill as Jabberwocky, so your books and your coffee are one stop. It's calm and a little tucked away from the busy part of downtown.
“Our family loves to eat and study in their comfortable store.”
Google review
In Amesbury MA: Market Square Bakehouse, 5 Market St, right across from Mel's. They roast their own coffee, and dogs are welcome.
Haverhill MA has the records and the coffee, and Plaistow NH has the books. Lisa Sevajian's favorite coffee is on the same street as the record store. Bull Moose is about 10 minutes north.
Open the Haverhill MA loop in Google Maps
Haverhill MA
You'll find thousands of records, a deep classic rock section and rebuilt stereo gear. They buy, sell and trade. It's cash only, so plan ahead. You can even come by train, since the shop sits by the Haverhill MA commuter rail stop.
“I could easily spend a couple days digging here.”
Google review
Plaistow NH
It's about 10 minutes up Route 125. You'll find books, more vinyl, movies and games under one roof. Check the bargain book bin. New Hampshire has no sales tax, and Massachusetts charges 6.25%, so your stack costs a little less here.
Want a cozy indie? The Purple Couch Bookshop, 350 Winthrop Ave, North Andover MA, (978) 557-2187. It's dog friendly and full of book clubs. Map
Haverhill MA
This is Lisa Sevajian's favorite coffee shop near Salem NH. It's about 15 minutes from Salem NH and right on your way to Welfare Records. The flavors change each month, and the pastries are made with care.
“They make it a point to remember your name.”
Google review
The Andovers have the books and the coffee. The closest record store is in Methuen MA, about 10 minutes away.
Open the Andover MA and Methuen MA loop in Google Maps
Methuen MA
It's a true mom and pop shop. You'll dig through vinyl, tapes, CDs and old music magazines. Bring cash, and call first if you want to sell.
“Lots of vinyls to look through, its very hard to leave empty handed.”
Google review
Andover MA
It opened in 1809. The shop calls itself the oldest independent bookstore in the country. You can still catch author events, and you can join a book club.
In North Andover MA: The Purple Couch Bookshop, 350 Winthrop Ave, with real couches to sink into.
Andover MA
It's a few doors down Main Street from the bookstore. Fans love the cold brew and the breakfast bagels. It's cash only.
In North Andover MA: Good Day Cafe, 19 High St, where everything tastes homemade.
Derry NH has books and coffee on the same block of Broadway. The closest record store is about 20 minutes away in Manchester NH.
Open the Derry NH loop in Google Maps
Manchester NH
It has one of the deepest selections in southern New Hampshire. Give yourself time, because you'll want to dig.
“After comparing record shops in the area, this one beats it by a mile.”
Google review
Quick dig in Derry NH: 8-Bit Gaming, 11 E Broadway, a retro game shop with a small vinyl section.
Derry NH
You'll find new and used books, bookish gifts and lots of events. You can drop off your old books too.
Derry NH
You'll find fun chairs, fun latte flavors and a college town feel. It's a good spot for you to read what you just bought.
Portsmouth NH has three bookstores downtown. Out on Islington Street, about a mile away, you'll find a record store and a coffee roaster a couple of blocks apart.
Open the Portsmouth NH loop in Google Maps
Portsmouth NH
It's a newer shop, mostly vintage vinyl. The owner knows the bins and loves to help you find something.
“Wonderful record store with a lot of unique selections.”
Google review
Want the big one? Bull Moose, 1981 Woodbury Ave, Portsmouth NH. It's a small chain that started in Maine in 1989. Map
Portsmouth NH
It's small and friendly. You'll find a great kids section and local writers.
Two more downtown: Sheafe Street Books, 29 Sheafe St, packed floor to ceiling with a shop cat, and Reedmor Books & Brews, 67 State St, a bookstore with a bar.
Portsmouth NH
It's a couple of blocks from Rosebud Records. They've roasted their own coffee here since 2005, and they serve breakfast and lunch.
Downtown: Cup of Joe Cafe & Bar, 48 Market St, with art on the walls and live music some nights.
Seven shops run from Boston MA up the North Shore. Each one comes with the closest bookstore and coffee, so you can build your own trifecta.
Boston MA
Open since 1978. You'll find every genre in its own section, and the prices stay fair. If you're new to digging, start here.
Books nearby: Trident Booksellers & Cafe, about half a mile away in Back Bay. You can read with your coffee there.
Coffee nearby: George Howell Coffee, close by in Back Bay.
“Its collection of rock records is thorough.”
Adrian Sands, UMass Boston's Mass Media
Boston MA
Hip hop, funk, soul, jazz and soundtracks. You can listen before you buy. The North End is right outside the door.
Books nearby: Brattle Book Shop, 9 West St, about a mile away. It's one of the oldest used bookstores in the country.
Coffee nearby: Thinking Cup, 236 Hanover St.
“GOOD TASTE is somehow the most cheerful on this list.”
Adrian Sands, UMass Boston's Mass Media
Cambridge MA
A Central Square fixture since 1954. The storefront is plain and the bins aren't. You can sell them your old records too.
Books nearby: Seven Stars, 731 Massachusetts Ave, a couple of blocks up Mass Ave.
Coffee nearby: Jaho Coffee Roaster, 425 Massachusetts Ave.
“Deep stacks of CDs. Especially 90s alternative rock.”
Rock 92.9
Jamaica Plain MA
Part record shop, part bookstore, part tapas bar. You get a trifecta all by itself.
Books nearby: Right inside. The books share the room with the records.
Coffee nearby: Cafe Siete, 7 Pond St, around the corner.
“Where else can you browse a crate of obscure records while sipping a cocktail?”
Boston Magazine
Gloucester MA
It's used records only, so you'll find something different every time you go.
Books nearby: The Bookstore of Gloucester, 61 Main St, about a block away.
Coffee nearby: Lone Gull Coffeehouse, 146 Main St.
“Huge selection of affordable vinyl and CDs, love the atmosphere.”
Google review
Salem MA
Open since 1974. Paul runs it and knows every genre. Call first if you want to sell, since buying is by appointment.
Books nearby: Wicked Good Books, 260 Essex St, a few blocks away.
Coffee nearby: Front Street Coffeehouse, 20 Front St.
“Great store, amazing selection, good prices, and the owner, Paul, is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.”
Yelp
Salem MA
About a third of a mile from the Record Exchange, so you can do both. It leans metal, punk, goth and indie.
Books nearby: The Midnight Bookseller, 116b North St, under half a mile away.
Coffee nearby: Gulu-Gulu Café, 247 Essex St.
“Loved browsing through their used and new bins.”
Google review
Pick one town, park once and go slow. Here's what to do this week.
Coffee at Drop Cafe, records at Welfare Records and a new book at Bull Moose before dinner. That's a perfect Saturday up here.
Home isn't just where you live. It's where your coffee tastes better with your favorite album on. It's the place that's all yours.
Found a Saturday you love? Here's what you could buy near it today. The list updates on its own, and when you save a home, Steve Wallace gets it so he can help.
For anyone picking a town by how the weekend feels
Tell Steve Wallace which downtown felt like you. He'll send you the homes for sale near it, and he'll let you know when a new one comes up.
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Tell Steve Wallace which Saturday you liked best, and he'll tell you what it takes to live there.
Call or text Steve at 978-289-2465Realtor MA / NH, Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty
When your life is changing, you're going to have questions, ideas, thoughts and worries. Steve will be by your side to help you figure out what makes the most sense. Never pushy. Always a good listener. He works with buyers and sellers from the North Shore to the Seacoast.
Want to get coffee and talk houses? Call or text Steve at 978-289-2465, email steve.wallace@exprealty.com, or find him on Instagram at @steve.wallace__.
We're a team of Realtors at eXp Realty who live, shop and drink our coffee in the towns we write about. We help families buy and sell homes across the Andovers, Merrimack Valley, Seacoast MA & NH, Southern NH & North Shore.
If you're buying, we'll help you not overpay. If you're selling, we'll help you not say yes to too little. Our team has helped almost 2,000 families make their move, and Lisa Sevajian has ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.4 million Realtors nationally.
Every guide on this blog comes from one of us, from the places we love. Have a question about a town? Call or text Steve Wallace at 978-289-2465 or the team at 978-457-3406.
Lisa Sevajian is a Realtor with the Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty, licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has guided almost 2,000 families through buying and selling and has ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.4 million Realtors nationwide (RealTrends America's Best). She serves the Andovers, the Merrimack Valley, Seacoast MA and NH, Southern NH and the North Shore. Buying, she makes sure you don't overpay. Selling, she makes sure you don't say yes to too little. Call or text Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406.
Welfare Records at 58 River St in Haverhill MA. It buys, sells and trades records and stereo gear. It's cash only, and it sits by the Haverhill MA commuter rail stop.
Yes. Mel's Record Shop is at 4 Water St in Amesbury MA. It's about 10 minutes from Dyno Records in Newburyport MA, so you can visit both in one morning.
Dyno Records at 1 Middle St in Newburyport MA. It sells new and used vinyl, CDs, turntables and gear for musicians.
Joppa Fine Foods is in the same building at 50 Water St in Newburyport MA. It has daily scone and quiche specials.
The Andover Bookstore at 74 Main St in Andover MA. It opened in 1809 and calls itself the oldest independent bookstore in the country.
Yes. The Purple Couch Bookshop is at 350 Winthrop Ave in North Andover MA. It's dog friendly and runs book clubs.
Drop Cafe at 781 River St in Haverhill MA, about 15 minutes from Salem NH. It's Lisa Sevajian's favorite.
Welfare Records at 58 River St in Haverhill MA is about 20 minutes from Salem NH. Get coffee at Drop Cafe on the same street.
Yes. Rosebud Records is at 800 Islington St in Portsmouth NH, about a mile from downtown.
Music Connection at 1711 S Willow St in Manchester NH. It's about 20 minutes from downtown Derry NH.
Welfare Records in Haverhill MA buys, sells and trades. Music DNA in Methuen MA, Dyno Records in Newburyport MA and the Record Exchange in Salem MA also buy. Call first.
Yes. Once Upon Again Bookstore is at 21 E Broadway in Derry NH. It sells new and used books and takes drop-offs of your old ones.
The Grind at 5 W Broadway in Derry NH. It's on the same block as Once Upon Again Bookstore.
White Heron Tea & Coffee at 601 Islington St in Portsmouth NH, a couple of blocks away. They've roasted their own coffee since 2005.
Welfare Records in Haverhill MA and Music DNA in Methuen MA. Ultimate Perk coffee in Andover MA is cash only too, so stop at an ATM first.
Shops change. Check before you go, and confirm anything about a home with your attorney, lender and inspector.
These are homes our team has sold, on one map. You'll see how many of them sit near the shops on this list.
Already own a home and wondering what it would take to move closer to your favorite Saturday? Start with what your home is worth today. You'll get a fresh update every month, and only you see it.