Remember the first time you found a record you had been hunting for years, just sitting there in a bin like it had been waiting for you? That feeling lives permanently inside this place.
A converted church in the heart of Tennessee’s music scene turned record shop, with two full floors of vinyl and a basement packed with buried treasure.
Musicians you actually recognize show up to play for free, like it is the most normal thing in the world.
The murals outside will stop you before you reach the door. The finds inside will keep you there far longer than planned.
Tennessee keeps this one quietly hidden away, and the collectors who already know about it would honestly prefer it stayed that way.
A Nashville Institution Born From Pure Passion
Back in 1999, two music lovers with a shared dream opened a small record shop in Berry Hill, an independent city that sits as an enclave within Nashville, Tennessee.
That shop was Grimey’s New and Preloved Music, and it quickly became something far bigger than its founders likely expected.
The store moved to its current home at 1060 E Trinity Ln in East Nashville in 2018. The new location gave the shop room to breathe, spread out, and grow into the kind of destination that music fans plan entire trips around.
What makes this origin story worth knowing is how grounded it remains. Grimey’s never chased trends or tried to become something flashy.
It stayed focused on music, community, and the simple joy of flipping through records.
That original spirit is still very much alive on the shelves today, and it shows in every carefully selected title stocked throughout the store.
The Church That Became A Record Store
Few record stores can claim they operate inside a former house of worship, but Grimey’s pulls it off with real style.
The building at 1060 E Trinity Ln still carries its original architectural charm, with high ceilings and stained glass windows that give the space a calm, almost reverent quality.
Shoppers often pause when they first walk in, surprised by how open and airy it feels. The layout makes browsing comfortable rather than cramped, which is a welcome change from the tight aisles found in many independent shops.
The building itself has become part of the Grimey’s identity. Colorful murals painted on the exterior walls celebrate recent album releases and beloved artists, turning the outside into a visual timeline of music history.
Visitors frequently stop to take photos before even stepping inside. It is the kind of place that feels like it was always meant to hold music, even if it once held something entirely different.
The Vinyl Collection That Makes Collectors Stop In Their Tracks
The used vinyl section at Grimey’s has a reputation that travels well beyond Tennessee.
Collectors who know their stuff describe it as a genuine goldmine, stocked with a thoughtfully curated mix of new releases, used vinyl, and indie pressings that covers nearly every genre imaginable.
What sets the preloved section apart is the store’s strict grading system. Every used record is evaluated before hitting the floor, so shoppers are not left guessing about the condition of what they are buying.
That level of care builds real trust with serious collectors.
The selection spans jazz, blues, rock, country, metal, and far beyond. Rare pressings turn up regularly, and the pricing tends to be fair for the quality on offer.
Regulars know that timing matters in this hobby, and those who visit often are rewarded with finds that simply do not stay on the shelves for long. Patience and persistence pay off here.
Two Floors Of Musical Discovery
Most record stores work with one floor and make do. Grimey’s gives visitors two full levels of music to explore, and both are worth every minute spent inside.
The main floor carries new vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and music-related merchandise. It is well-lit, organized, and easy to navigate even during busy periods.
Staff recommendations are displayed near the counter, giving shoppers a helpful nudge when the choices feel overwhelming.
Head downstairs and the atmosphere shifts. The basement is where the bargain bins live, packed with preloved records at prices that feel almost too good.
Blues, jazz, and metal fans tend to linger down there the longest.
Stacks of music-related books and magazines line the walls, adding another layer to the experience. Some items in the basement are priced as low as a single dollar, making it one of the most rewarding places in all of Tennessee for a dedicated digger on any budget.
Live In-Store Performances That Bring The Music To Life
Grimey’s is not just a place to buy records. It regularly transforms into a live music venue, hosting free, all-ages in-store performances that draw both locals and out-of-town visitors.
Over the years, the store has welcomed a remarkable range of artists for performances and signings. Names like The Black Keys, Drive-By Truckers, Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, David Byrne, and Nick Cave have all appeared within these walls.
That is a lineup that most dedicated music venues would envy.
These events are open to everyone and carry no admission cost, which speaks to how seriously Grimey’s takes its role as a community space.
Catching a surprise performance while flipping through records is exactly the kind of thing that turns a casual shopping trip into a lasting memory.
For anyone visiting Nashville, Tennessee with even a passing interest in live music, keeping an eye on the store’s upcoming events is absolutely worth the effort.
Record Store Day And The Art Of The Hunt
Record Store Day is a big deal in the vinyl world, and Grimey’s handles it like a seasoned pro.
The store participates fully in the annual celebration, stocking a comprehensive selection of limited releases that draw collectors from across Tennessee and well beyond its borders.
The energy on Record Store Day at Grimey’s is something hard to describe without experiencing it firsthand. Lines form early, conversations spark between strangers over shared tastes, and the thrill of scoring a limited pressing is genuine and infectious.
Even outside of Record Store Day, the store carries a strong selection of exclusive and hard-to-find pressings that rarely show up in chain stores or on mainstream platforms. Indie pressings and label exclusives are a regular part of the inventory.
For collectors who treat the hunt as part of the hobby, Grimey’s offers that feeling year-round, not just on one special Saturday in spring. The search is always on here.
East Nashville’s Creative Energy All Around
The neighborhood surrounding Grimey’s is as interesting as the store itself. East Nashville has built a strong identity as one of the most creative and eclectic parts of Tennessee’s capital city, and the area around the shop reflects that energy at every turn.
Independent coffee shops, vintage clothing stores, and small restaurants dot the streets nearby. The whole stretch has a laid-back, community-driven feel that makes an afternoon visit easy to stretch into a full day of exploring.
Grimey’s fits naturally into this environment. It is not a tourist trap or a corporate outpost trying to look cool.
The store belongs to the neighborhood in an organic way, drawing in locals on weekday afternoons and curious visitors on weekends.
The shared parking lot even connects to a thrift store and a coffee shop, making it simple to turn a record run into something more. East Nashville rewards those who take their time with it.
Staff Who Actually Know Their Music
Good record store staff are worth their weight in vinyl, and Grimey’s has built a team that genuinely knows what they are talking about. Visitors consistently note that the people working the floor are passionate, approachable, and happy to help track down specific titles.
Staff recommendation boxes near the counter give shoppers a curated shortcut through the massive selection. These picks come from people who spend their days surrounded by music, which makes the suggestions feel personal rather than algorithmic.
The store also allows customers to call ahead and ask about specific titles before making the trip, a small but thoughtful touch that saves time for serious collectors. Music knowledge runs deep here, and conversations between staff and shoppers often turn into genuine exchanges about artists, labels, and obscure releases.
That kind of human connection is becoming harder to find in the age of streaming, and it is one of the things that keeps people coming back to Grimey’s in Nashville, Tennessee.
Murals That Turn The Outside Into A Canvas
Before stepping inside, the outside of Grimey’s already makes a statement. The exterior walls of the converted church building are covered in large, colorful murals celebrating music and the artists who make it.
The murals are updated regularly to reflect new releases and current favorites, giving the building a living quality that changes with the music world. Visitors who return after several months often notice fresh artwork that was not there before, making every trip feel a little different.
For music fans visiting Nashville, Tennessee, the exterior alone is worth a detour. It serves as both a tribute to the artists the store loves and a genuine photo opportunity that stands out on any social feed.
The murals capture something important about what Grimey’s represents: a place where music is treated as art worth celebrating visually, not just aurally. The building wears its passion on its walls, quite literally, and the effect is striking from across the parking lot.
Planning A Visit To Grimey’s
Getting to Grimey’s is straightforward enough, though first-time visitors should know that parking can get competitive during busy periods.
The store shares a lot with neighboring businesses, including a thrift store and a coffee shop, so arriving with a little patience is a good idea.
Additional parking is available in the back lot, which helps during events and busy weekend afternoons. The store is reachable by phone at 615-226-3811 for anyone wanting to check on a specific title before making the drive.
Browsing both floors properly takes time, so building at least an hour into the visit is wise. The basement alone can swallow an afternoon for anyone serious about digging.
Grimey’s is one of those places in Tennessee where the more time spent, the better the experience tends to get. Arriving unhurried makes all the difference.