EVERETT APRIL 17th: National Record Store Day is Saturday, April 18th, and we are highlighting record and antique stores that have helped shape the region’s music scene. These businesses have weathered industry shifts, evolving formats, and changing audiences, while continuing to keep vinyl alive in the community.
National Record Store Day was founded in 2007 and held its first celebration on April 19, 2008. Created to support independent brick-and-mortar record stores, the day has been recognized annually for nearly two decades, typically taking place on a Saturday in April.
A New Era with Deep Roots: Apollo Exos Record & Beer
One of Everett’s newer, but already standout, spots is Apollo Exos Record & Beer, a shop that blends vinyl culture with a social, laid-back atmosphere.
Owner, Sotirios Rebelos, said the business first began in 2023 inside an antique mall on Hewitt Avenue before expanding into its own dedicated space, officially opening in August 2024. The growth has not stopped there, with plans already underway to expand into a neighboring 5,000 square foot space.
“I’ve been listening to vinyl since I was 4 years old,” Rebelos said. “As I enter my later years, I wanted my professional life to reflect what I love.”
That passion is reflected in the shop’s curated selection, which spans genres from jazz to black metal, featuring both new and used records sourced from around the world.
Apollo Exos offers an experience.
“You can drink a cold one while flipping through the bins, or just chill at the bar and take in the music,” Rebelos said.
For Record Store Day, the shop will be open early at 6 AM, offering a relaxed environment where visitors can hang out before the RSVP browsing slots begin. Later in the day, the store opens fully to the public from 12 PM to 12 AM, emphasizing a “no lines, just good times” approach.
Where History Meets Discovery: Hewitt Estates & Antiques
While some shops are built purely around vinyl, others offer a different kind of discovery experience. Owner, Jen Lew, said records broaden the horizon.
Hewitt Estates & Antiques blends an antique store and mall setting, creating a space where music is just one part of a much larger story. With 16 independent vendors and a steady flow of consignment and estate items, the shop offers a constant evolving inventory.
“We’re a combination of an antique shop and mall,” Lew shared. “We do estate clean-outs and take items on consignment, in addition to having multiple vendors.”
Within the mix, a growing music section has become a hidden gem for vinyl lovers.
The store’s record collection is curated by a working musician, bringing a level of authenticity and passion to the selection.
“Joseph, [who] curates our records, has a real job as a musician,” Lew said. “He’s been growing our music corner for a while now.” The store is frequently playing records, “we never know what it could be.” The music spans from the 80s, classic rock, and reggae.
“Our record section has added to the vibe we have,” Lew added.
The blend of music and history creates a different kind of digging experience, one where customers might come in for antiques and leave with a record they did not expect to find. Joseph carefully looks over records weekly and displays what people like to buy.
More Than Music
Together, these businesses highlight the diversity of Everett’s vinyl scene. Whether it’s sipping a house beer while flipping through new releases or uncovering a decades old record tucked between vintage finds, each store offers its own version of connection to music, to history, and to community.
As Record Store Day brings attention to independent shops nationwide, Everett’s local business stands as a reminder that vinyl is more than a format but rather a culture. It’s found in the stories behind each shop, the passion of the people who run them, and the moments shared between strangers over a mutual love of music. And in Everett, that culture continues to grow. Happy National Record Day!
