Vinyl isn't dead. It’s not even "back" anymore—it’s just here, firmly planted in the cultural bedrock of how we consume music when we actually want to own something. But if you’ve spent any time digging through crates in the Midway area lately, you know that No Kings St Paul isn’t just another shop trying to capitalize on the $30 reissue craze. It feels different.
Located at 755 Prior Ave N, right in the heart of the sprawling, creative labyrinth that is the Can Can Wonderland and Blackstack Brewing complex, this shop is a bit of an anomaly. It’s small. It’s curated. Honestly, it’s exactly what a neighborhood record store should look like in an era where big-box retailers are trying to sell you warped copies of Taylor Swift albums next to the toaster ovens.
The Vibe at No Kings St Paul
Walking into No Kings for the first time is sort of like stepping into a friend’s very well-organized basement, assuming that friend has impeccable taste and a slight obsession with 90s indie rock and obscure jazz. You won't find 40 copies of "Rumours" clogging up the bins here. Instead, the focus is on a mix of high-quality used vinyl and specific new releases that actually make sense for the St. Paul demographic.
The shop is part of a larger ecosystem.
Because it’s tucked into the Prior Works building, the foot traffic is weirdly diverse. You get the serious audiophiles who are there specifically for a limited pressing, and you get the families who wandered over after playing a round of artist-designed mini-golf downstairs. Somehow, No Kings manages to cater to both without feeling like a sell-out or a gatekeeping snob-fest.
The owner, Graham, is usually the one behind the counter. He’s the kind of guy who actually knows the inventory because he probably hand-picked most of it. That’s a level of curation that’s slowly disappearing from the retail landscape. When you ask for a recommendation at No Kings St Paul, you aren't getting a generated "customers also bought" list; you're getting a genuine opinion from someone who lives and breathes this stuff.
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Why Location Matters in the Midway
St. Paul has always had a bit of a chip on its shoulder when it comes to Minneapolis. Everyone talks about Electric Fetus or Cheapo, and yeah, those places are institutions. They’re massive. But there’s a specific charm to the Midway/Hamline-Midway area that those bigger spots can’t replicate.
The Prior Works building is a beast. It’s a repurposed industrial space that feels lived-in. When you go to No Kings, you aren't just going to a store; you're entering a community hub. You grab a coffee or a beer nearby, you flip through some records, and you realize that this is what "shop local" actually feels like. It’s not a marketing slogan there. It’s just the reality of the floor plan.
Digging Through the Crates: What to Expect
Let’s talk about the actual inventory. If you’re looking for a $2 copy of a generic 70s soft-rock album, you might find it, but that’s not really the point of this place. The used section is remarkably clean. There’s a noticeable lack of "filler" here.
- Genre Focus: There is a heavy lean toward indie, punk, hip-hop, and experimental sounds.
- Condition: They don’t put junk on the floor. If it's in the bin, it’s playable.
- New Releases: They get the good stuff—indie store exclusives, colored vinyl variants that actually matter, and releases from local Twin Cities labels.
I’ve found that their turnover is surprisingly fast. Since the shop isn't a 5,000-square-foot warehouse, the bins change constantly. If you see something on their Instagram feed, you basically have about four hours to get down to Prior Avenue before someone else snags it. That creates a sense of urgency that makes digging fun again.
The Pricing Reality
Look, records are expensive now. We all know it.
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The days of finding a pristine copy of "Blue" for five bucks are mostly over. However, No Kings St Paul keeps things fair. They aren't Discogs-padding their prices to the point of absurdity. You pay what a record is worth, and often, you'll find deals on used items that would be marked up 30% higher at a more "corporate" used shop. They also buy records, and from what I’ve heard from local collectors, they’re pretty transparent about their offers. They want good music in the shop, and they’re willing to pay for it.
Beyond the Vinyl: The Cultural Footprint
One of the coolest things about No Kings is how they integrate with the local music scene. It’s not just a place to buy objects. It’s a place that supports the people who make the objects.
They’ve been known to host small events, pop-ups, and collaborations with other local makers. In a city like St. Paul, which can sometimes feel like a collection of quiet neighborhoods, having a loud, vibrant spot like this is vital. It gives the Midway an edge. It makes the area feel like a destination rather than just a pass-through between downtowns.
There’s also the aesthetic. The branding of No Kings is minimalist and sharp. It doesn't rely on the "vintage" tropes of old record players and dusty aesthetics. It feels modern. It feels like it belongs in 2026.
What People Get Wrong About Shopping Here
Some folks might think that because it’s in a building with a mini-golf course and a brewery, it’s a "tourist" shop.
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That’s a mistake.
While they certainly benefit from the weekend crowds, the heart of the business is the regulars. It’s the person who stops in every Tuesday to see what came in over the weekend. It’s the local DJ looking for a specific breakbeat. If you treat it like a souvenir shop, you’re missing the depth of the collection. You have to look at the "Just In" bins. That’s where the gold is.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
If you're planning to head over to No Kings St Paul, don't just dash in and out. The whole point of this specific location is the experience of the building itself.
Start by checking their social media. They are active on Instagram and often post the "heavy hitters" that just hit the floor. If you see a 90s original pressing of a Radiohead album or a rare jazz reissue, move fast.
Park in the main lot, but be prepared—it gets packed on weekends. Honestly, if you can go on a weekday afternoon, do it. It’s quiet, you can actually hear what’s playing over the shop speakers (which is always something interesting), and you can chat with Graham without ten people hovering behind you.
After you spend your budget on wax, walk across the hall. The synergy between the record store and the rest of the building is peak St. Paul.
Actionable Steps for the Vinyl Collector
- Follow the Feed: Their Instagram is the heartbeat of the shop. Turn on notifications if you’re a serious collector.
- Bring Your Trades: If you have high-quality stuff you don't listen to, bring it in. They prefer quality over quantity, so leave the scratched-up Broadway soundtracks at home.
- Check the "New" Bin First: They get excellent distribution for new indie titles that often sell out at larger stores.
- Explore the Building: Make a day of it. The Midway is becoming a massive hub for independent business, and No Kings is a cornerstone of that.
No Kings St Paul represents a shift in how we interact with physical media. It’s not about having everything; it’s about having the right things. It’s a curated experience in a world of infinite, noisy choices. Whether you're a lifelong collector or someone who just bought their first turntable, this is the kind of place that reminds you why you started listening to music in the first place. It’s tactile, it’s personal, and it’s unapologetically local.