Wombleton

Wombleton –  5123 York Blvd., Highland Park, Los Angeles Ca.  90042
Closed – Feb. 2017

Next up on my Los Angeles tour was Wombleton records in Highland Park.  Billed as the place to go for the ‘good stuff’, it lived up to its reputation.  For all the crate digging you do, every once in awhile you want a treat of a nice rare record.  You’ll find it here, if you’re looking for rare imports from the UK and Europe, but you should expect to pay what its worth.  The shop was run by a very nice guy (standing in for the owner) who was happy to make sure you liked your purchase before you left.  Set up like an old London record store, replete with fixtures and that name, its a worthy place to go for some high end vinyl.

I went with an English first pressing of Blur’s first album Leisure (which has a different track listing than the US pressing).  90s albums are very hard to find, given their limited pressings.

UPDATE –  A recent article in LA Weekly published Feb. 28,  2017 reports that  Highland Parks Wombleton Records Has Closed  The article has a nice interview with one of the store’s owners, on the store’s history and unfortunate closing.  The store opened in 2010.  Its co-owner, Ian Marshall, shopped for high end vinyl in Europe, and sold his finds and first pressings in the store.  Unlike his competitors, there were no low end dollar bins here.  Instead, he offered a small but high end inventory.  Alas, the store’s time ran out, and it closed its doors for good in 2017.

Here’s a video tour of Wombleton shot by the Vinyl Guide in November 2016.