Molly’s Books and Records

Molly’s is definitely a place to visit if you are near the Italian Market and love books and records. I called on a Sunday afternoon looking for A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin. The gentleman on the phone told me they had it and even held it at the front desk for me. They have a great selection of books and I can’t wait to go back and check out the records. Plus the customer service was amazing. Thanks to Molly’s because you guys made my day!

I recently moved back to the area, and Molly’s is still one of the best bookstores in Philadelphia. The owners clearly put a lot of thought into their collection and the prices are very fair.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect as we walked to the shop. We hoofed it all the way down East Passyunk and S 9^th to get to Molly’s, making our way through the Italian Market. We were passing all these produce stands and Latin/​South American eateries and I kept thinking to myself, «There’s a book shop here? Really?» (as well as «OMG my feet hurt!») But when we got to the storefront and I saw the sidewalk sale offerings displayed for $ 2 each, I knew good things lay in store for us at Molly’s.
It’s a smaller shop PACKED with awesome books and vinyl. If you are claustrophobic, be forewarned. Just saying. The store is very well maintained and organized, and everything is placed in a way that makes it easy to shop. It’s just a lot in a narrow space. So know that going in.
When you go in, the shop owner is manning the register to the left and there are CDs to your right. Vinyl stacks take up the middle of the front part of the store, while shelves of books flank them. The back half of the store is all book shelves and there’s a chair in front of the science fiction section (where I sat while my boyfriend looked through the vinyl stacks).
He found quite a few records that he ended up purchasing. He also had a good conversation with the owner, who is like the coolest shop owner I’ve met. He really knows about vinyl and cares about making sure that the customers are happy with the selection and quality of their purchases. There’s a turntable listening station in the store, but he said that, if there was a problem with any of the records, my boyfriend could come back to the store with it. He didn’t give that curt «All Sales Are Final» line. Very cool and good business practice; it’s the good way to build a clientele.
Take your time looking through everything. You’ll be sure to find something at a good (and competitive) price regarding the vinyl there. I know the bf found hard-​to-​find records. I found the original motion picture soundtrack for the movie Time Square (a double album for only $ 6!) as well as ‘Roy Orbison Sings Don Gibson’ from 1967 for $ 5 that plays beautifully! Molly’s is a great shop!

Great selection of books, hand selected by Molly herself. The place is a little cramped so, it’s quality over quantity here. Killer selection of records too, Joe has a real good eye for that as well. If you are looking to sell LPs, I wouldn’t go anywhere else in the city. Top dollar paid. Check their website first tho to see what they are looking for as it can be selective at times.

I live a block and a half from this little gem! My husband and I shop here for all of our LP needs!!! The owners are very helpful and completely have a passion for what they do. Every record we have ever purchased was in very decent condition and was priced really well.

Wow! This place is great! My friend was able to find a bunch of older books for her son. The children’s books were a blast from the past! I found a really great Anthony Burgess box set for a friend. The proprietor was very friendly and helpful. This will be a regular visit for me when I am in the Italian Market!

My Wife is in to Vintage Records we Found Molly on Unilocal so we decided to check her out… Small Store but so much stuff you can be there for days Checking Stuff out. All there Merchandise comes with a Guarantee Def check them out.

I am reviewing Molly’s from the other side — as a seller. My parents were serious music-​lovers, and amassed an incredible collection of rock, jazz, blues, and classical albums during the 60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s. I joined the fray when I was 12 or so; that is, when I was old enough to start buying records. (This was in the not-​so-​distant past when children roamed the streets of Philly like little adults.) My father passed away suddenly this year and my mother decided to move. The difficult question arose: WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH THE RECORDS?
We knew they were worth something, but we weren’t sure how to go about selling them. Selling also felt sacrilegious somehow. But if they went to someone who appreciated them, that would feel ok.
I searched around and came upon Molly’s website and knew this was the place. Joe, who’s the record-​buyer, was absolutely wonderful to work with. He knew what we were going through and he was both KIND and PROFESSIONAL. He gave us a really fair price for what we had that was valuable, and took the ones he might have trouble selling too because he could see we needed help. I have nothing but love for that experience. Thank you, Joe. And thank you to Molly’s for creating a place like this in Philly.

Excellent CD & Vinyl Shop.
First Rate.
They have box sets, used and new vinyl & CDs, and a live show nearly every week.
The help is great. The layout is great – very spacious and visually attractive.
This is the best vinyl store in downtown Philly.

Molly’s is a quaint little record/​used book shop in the Italian market (what little is left of it). They have an okay selection of used vinyl with some 2 – 3 dollar picking pins outside. Unfortunately, they bins are outside. You can occasionally come across a great find in the bins but beware. They sit outside for so long in the humid air and are stacked together, so it isn’t uncommon that these LPs become warped and sometimes unplayable. The staff is relatively friendly but are not too attentive. They are usually unaware of their own stock. I stop by when I’m in the neighborhood to take a quick look but it is not a spot I would go out of my way to visit.

This place was so cool! Lots of used books and records for insanely reasonable prices. I had a lot of fun rooting through the $ 2 book bins outside and found some real gems in a short period of time.
I’ll definitely be back when I have more time so I can really dig through and add to my collection.

Molly’s is hands down one of the top record stores in Philly. There are so many great finds, the pricing is incredibly fair, the atmosphere is charming and the employees are so friendly! A true gem!!!

I was lured into Molly’s after sorting through some of the books in bins outside the store. There were many great hardcover books for only a few dollars. I went inside to pay and was delighted to find a larger selection of fairly well selected book at reasonable prices.
I ended up purchasing 7 high-​quality, hardback picture books for just under $ 40. The saleswoman was very kind, and mentioned that she’d be getting more boxes of children’s books soon, so I might even check back to see what else I can find.
I didn’t really look through the rest of the store — I was just there to get some children’s books for my nieces and nephews — but glancing around briefly, it seems pretty decent considering it’s a fairly small shop.

Love this place. They have a decent selection of LP’s in mint condition for one or two dollars. The staff is always very nice!

First time in this store. I was in the Italian Market and remembered it had been recommended by another record store in the area. It’s not a huge store by any means, so i wasn’t expecting much.
I was amazed at what I was able to find. I was able to find many albums I had been looking for for reasonable prices ($ 8−10− in great playing condition). Then I found the multiple bins with records for $ 1! Surprisingly good titles in these bins.
I got to talking to the lady checking me out (I assume Molly) and she was very helpful on other related questions.
Very warm feel inside from both employees I spoke with, great selection and good prices, especially if you dig a little.
I will definitely be back again

A little pricey but they have a really nice selection of unique, harder to find books. My favorite sections in this tiny store are the vintage children’s books (usually in pretty great condition) and the pulp fiction. They usually have a bunch of bins in front with $ 2 books, worth looking through.

Great shop with large selection, of both eclectic and out of print books and records at reasonable prices, located in the heart of the Italian Market, best day Saturday or Sunday

This is a GREAT little record and book shop in the heart of the Italian Market. I came in for the first time this past weekend (out of towner) and the shop keeper was so friendly and helpful. When I inquired about a Patsy Cline album, he recalled they recently got one in stock and then dug it out from the basement for me. We had a nice chat and after buying several records, I mentioned I’d definitely be back.
Shops like this are GEMS and I highly recommend Molly’s!
FIVE STARS

It’s nearly impossible to go to the Italian market and not stop in at Molly’s. I almost always find a record I must have, usually one that transports me straight back to childhood. I have never had a problem with the condition of the used record, even the ones which are a dollar. In a world of digital music and downloaded books, there is still a certain sublime peace while browsing through the real thing. Marveling at the cover art. The smell of loved albums and books, reminds you that someones «velveteen rabbit» is just waiting for you to take them home. WHO By Numbers, You have a home with me.

I’m really sad that I missed the re-​opening reception. It had a special art display by Isaiah Zagar, South Streets Magic Gardens master artist. and it even had a viewing of one of my favorite movies ever Santa Sangre. that’s just proof that this bookstore has been trying to be a bookstore of a different color since it’s very beginning.
Molly Russakoff, the owner, has been a part of Philly’s poetry scene for 25 years. She has been working hard to make it a fun shop that offers something special for the community. it has great special events occasionally (see above), has a great café inside, and you can even call to make an appointment for visiting the store outside of store hours if need be.