Ranch Records, Salem Oregon
237 High Street N.E. Salem Oregon 97301 – Open, but not here – updated 11/21/22
A long time Salem favorite. When I visited in 2016, Ranch Records had a really cool display of old Beatles records and memorabilia. They also featured a large selection of new and used records, and a number of worthy collectables. The walls of its large space were adorned with posters of bands that performed in Oregon, advertising their shows.
Now, this location, first opened in 1982, has closed its doors. Other outposts – in Bend and McMinnville – either are now operated by others or also closed. The owners themselves are operating a small space in the Engelberg Antiks Antique Mall in downtown Salem, 148 Liberty Street N.E., Salem Oregon 97301.
Wanna go? You can find Ranch Records new location on our Record Stores Map
From 2016, these pictures are of the store’s old location at 237 High Street N.E.
Here’s an article that appeared in the Salem Statesman Journal Ranch Records of Salem A World of Musical Wonderment that interviews the store’s owner about his shop.
And here’s another article, from June 2020, also from the Salem Statesman Journal, Ranch Records Closing Its Doors After 38 years of Memories in Downtown Salem reporting on the store’s iminent closing for retirement. Look at the line of customers waiting to get in one last time.
And finally, from Curbside Press, is this August 1, 2020 article Out on a High Note: Salem’s Ranch Records Closes After Nearly 40 Years reporting on the store’s last day. This comes from Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, as Curbside Press’ site is no longer available.
This video, shot at the store on Record Store Day in 2010, will give you an even better idea of what the store was like in its heyday.
