Groovers

We checked out this place yesterday based on the great Unilocal reviews. It is definitely a hidden gem in Riverside near UCR! We bought 12 used records (the used records are mint condition), and only spent $ 63 due to the 10% student discount the young man ringing us up told me us about! There is a great selection of rock n roll. There was a lot of R&B/Soul in a side room (which is now cleaned out thanks to us), but not as much as the rock n roll section. Most of the used records were priced $ 3-​$ 5! What a deal, right?! The wonderful young man who helped us told us they have a back room stocked with 100s of records they are still working on sorting and getting on the floor. I am already planning my next trip to Groovers! I live in Lake Elsinore, and this is by far my favorite record store in the Inland Empire now. I recommend you check them out! Don’t forget to bring your student ID to receive your discount!

A year later and boy have Groover’s really stepped up their game. Been here about 3 times since my last review and couldn’t be happier. They’re finally open more days out of the week but usually closed by the time I’m home from work, so I usually stop in on weekends. Some records you can still find cheaper online (Discogs, eBay…) but they definitely have some good prices that compete with Mad Platter. The selection is far better at this point than Mad Platter when it comes to vinyl too. Follow them on Instagram to keep up with their discounts. 4 stars :)

This shop attracts true vinyl hoarders and boasts the quality pressings aficionados seek. The organization here makes more sense than most, meaning I actually find myself spending less time crate digging and more time just gabbing with similar-​minded folk. This little store might just make you love brick-​and-​mortar again! Support shops like this, please, they deserve to thrive.

After several years I’ve come to know Tom and am always delighted to visit the store and chat music. I also like the disparate selection of older and obscure titles as well as a fantastic jazz collection, oldies and newer high-​end audiophile pressings on 180 or 200g vinyl, some of which play at the superior 45rpm!
Patience is a virtue when collecting records, and since I have a massive collection I am picky and particular as to what I want. Sometimes I leave empty-​handed, and sometimes I celebrate the awesome find (e.g. first U.S. pressing of Black Sabbath Vol. 4 with booklet and poster intact) for a very fair price. Tom also stocks current and past RSD goodies, and not all are gimmicks– just look at what they are selling for already on ebay!
Anyhow, the shop keeps irregular hours, but is open late on weekends. Because it is behind UCR it makes sense to visit Mad Platter in University Village too and support independent record shops that carry new and used vinyl.

I come out to groovers all the way from San Diego to dig every now and then. This spot has some fire. From Jazz, blues, to soul and everything in between. I’ve found a lot of Bossa Nova and most of what I’ve found has been reasonably priced. It’s a clean environment and the dude that’s always there is very helpful. Everything is in a clear sleeve too which I like. Cool spot mos definitely.

We go here all the time and it’s great.
They’re always getting new stuff, there’s always something great hiding somewhere.
The employees are always very nice and helpful.
Our favorite record store ever.

When I came to UC Riverside, I was worried that I would have to put my hobby of collecting vinyl on hold since I wasn’t sure if there were any record stores available in the area. I was pleasantly surprised to find two great stores located within walking distance of my dorm: this place and Mad Platter. Groovers was the first of the two that I visited. It’s a small place, but I have learned that small record stores are capable of carrying very large amounts of vinyl. This is true for Groovers. If you don’t find anything interesting up top, there’s a ton more to go through in the boxes underneath. It’s cool that this place offers cassette tapes since the other record store doesn’t have that. I will say that this place is a little more pricy than I would like it to be, but I still enjoy coming here. The people who work here are always friendly and making conversation with other customers. If you’re passing through Riverside and looking for a good record store, I would definitely recommend this place.

From what I was told by an employee, the records in the store are from the owner’s collection. So the majority of records are rock, some soundtracks, an ok selection of Jazz, and a little soul mixed in there. I was looking for hip hop vinyl. And I’m not talking about the top 40 hip hop.
The owner needs to be more active in this business of records. There are a lot of producers that dig in the crates for those hard to find gems. Start buying in bulk from other collectors. Then put what you bought, into the racks at your store. Get involved with the inland empire record collective that goes on in Riverside.
I come from L.A. And the scene out there is a lot more supportive than it is in the IE. I’m just giving my opinion and hope it’s taken into consideration.

Groovers is expanding their collection of jazz vinyl.
Picked up some late 40s and 50s era vinyl 10″ yesterday. The album covers always look like vintage paintings.
I’ll be looking for some Verve labels next.
I was able to find every version of the songs I was looking for during one trip.
The owner has amassed a marvelous collection. Any collector would love this place. We are indebted to this store.
The prices are always fair. And not just for the unsealed older ones, but for the collection of sealed records.
You’ll often find here what you can’t find at even the big name stores in the area. It’s worth coming in regularly.
Thanks to Groovers, a decent independent record store still exists in Riverside.

Amazing store, I was working around that area when I found this place (I live in LA) l… Tom the owner was super cool, I ended up buying a first edition Pearl Jam at a very reasonable price! Well curated store, will definitely go back to shop there.

You’re still rockin it Tom! Your prices and selection are still #1!
My opinion, to others, is that this is a Classic Rock/​Hard Rock/​Metal oriented store. They have a some of everything, but it’s by far a rockers paradise. At least that’s how I see it :) \m/

Tom and his wife are great. They have added a new room to their already large selection of vinyl. You can also find some rare albums too.

How on earth this guy can manage such a phenomenal record store for only two days a week is beyond me, but the selection here is killer. Pricing is also great, I really enjoy going here, the owner is always friendly and conversational, and he really knows his stuff. Also nice to see some upscale stock, like new mobile fidelity albums.

They’re only open on weekends now, otherwise no complaints.

Only the best record store around! The owners are so nice. I love the atmosphere and vibe. Definetly coming back soon.

Good prices, great selection, well-​organized.

Groovers is a pretty dope little record store. Tom, the owner, is a super cool guy who takes pride in his shop and wants you to have an awesome experience at the store. Groovers has a pretty large collection of records, cassettes, and CDs. The one thing I noticed is that there is very few Hip-​Hop records (my personal favorite to collect) and when I asked Tom about it, he explained that they aren’t the biggest sellers, however, if I would leave him a list of artists or albums I’m looking for, he would check the warehouse and, if he had any, would have them in the store saved for me the next time I came in. Tom is just an awesome guy who loves music and the people that come into the shop.

This place is great!
Their prices are inexpensive and they provide a great variety of records
:)

I absolutely loved Groover’s!!! I live thirty minutes away and would willingly pay for gas daily to go out there! They have a really good selection of vinyls and they’re all very neatly organized. They have $ 1 bins that are throughout the store and although it may take time to go through them it’s so worth it. The staff was also really nice and helpful.

I really don’t know what else I can add that hasn’t already been said. Groovers is Riverside’s hidden gem. I’ve been coming a long time now and I always leave happily with something. Tom is super cool and so is the other guy that works there (I’m so sorry I can’t remember your name right now). Both are super helpful and welcoming. The overall vibe of the store is what I really love; that old school record store feel where you can come in and shoot the sh*t about music but without the superficial /​showoff type of feels. If you are looking for something in particular, don’t hesitate to ask. Either Tom has it stowed away somewhere or he can probably get it. The shop is mostly used vinyl and there are some really great rare collector’s items. I promise, whatever genre you’re into, there is something here for you. I only wish my funds would allow me to visit more often.