Background / History
Among the traders of Wood Street Indoor Market, Mike’s Record Shop is a fixture that Walthamstow’s music lovers have long relied upon. The shop is run by Mike, a genial and knowledgeable owner who has spent years building its stock and its loyal following. Set within the covered market off Wood Street in E17, it carries the character of a proper old-fashioned record shop, the kind where the shelves are packed, the turnover is constant and the person behind the counter genuinely knows their catalogue. Mike keeps an eye out for fresh material at all times, so regulars know that a return visit rarely means seeing the same racks twice.
What You’ll Find
The heart of the shop is vinyl, with 45s and LPs spanning the 1950s, 60s, 70s and later filling the crates. Genres run broad, from rock and pop to soul, and the jazz section has earned particular praise, with one collector going so far as to call it the best jazz vinyl selection in London. Alongside the records sits a wide range of CDs and one of the more unusual draws for a record shop: a substantial stock of DVDs and videos. That side of the collection covers classic films, horror, comedy and sport, plus vintage television and plenty of box sets, making it as rewarding for film enthusiasts as it is for crate diggers. Pricing stays fair throughout, so building a collection here need not be an expensive habit.
Experience / Atmosphere
Browsing at Mike’s is an unhurried, hands-on affair. The shop is compact and well organised, rewarding the patient shopper who is happy to work through the racks and see what surfaces. Mike himself is a large part of the appeal, offering the sort of warm, chatty and helpful service that has all but vanished from the high street. Questions are welcomed and recommendations freely given, and many visitors come as much for the conversation as for the records. As one of the anchor tenants of Wood Street Indoor Market, the shop plays a real part in the life of the area, drawing collectors from across London who make the short walk from Wood Street station especially to dig through its shelves.
Why Visit
- Deep stock of 45s and LPs from the 1950s through to more recent decades
- A jazz selection widely rated among the best in London
- Extensive CDs plus a rare-for-a-record-shop range of DVDs, box sets and vintage film and TV
- Fair, honest pricing across new finds and second-hand stock
- Friendly, knowledgeable service from Mike himself
- A characterful spot within Walthamstow’s Wood Street Indoor Market, minutes from the Overground
Summary
Mike’s Record Shop is the sort of independent that keeps a neighbourhood’s record-buying culture alive. It combines a genuinely deep and varied vinyl selection with an unexpectedly strong film and CD offering, all held together by fair prices and the easy, welcoming manner of its owner. Whether you are chasing a particular jazz pressing, filling gaps in a soundtrack collection or simply enjoying an afternoon of unhurried digging, this Walthamstow institution repays the visit. For anyone exploring the record shops of East London, a stop at Wood Street Indoor Market to see Mike is well worth the journey.
