Exile on Main Street

Lots of records. Alot of them overpriced but lots of them — new, used, etc. Found a couple cool things, and some oddities (random oi! like Templars/​Oxblood split, First Strike ep etc.) Purchased a MEATMEN LP with the Mother Murphy’s sticker still on it, funny thing is, I remember this exact copy of the LP from when I used to buy records at Mother Murphy’s. Oh, and if anyone is looking to pay $ 60 for the NAKED HIPPY LP, they have it here for that much… or you could just buy it for $ 20 from Jeff who was actually in Naked Hippy, at his record store in Bloomington for $ 15. Anyway, Exile is OK.

Having recently moved to C-​U and being a fairly obsessive vinyl record nerd, I was excited to check out the various shops in town (s). I was surprised that there are so many record shops in town (3 by my reckoning). I can’t really imagine the undergrad population of UIUC is supporting them, but maybe I’m wrong. I had a sense that Exile would be the best, and I can now say confidently that this is the case — it is fairly well-​stocked. As some other reviewers have noted, this is a somewhat idiosyncratic shop. It’s a solid shop, however. I’d say it is the best place in town to buy new records.
The prices on used vinyl are on the higher side (compared to similar shops around the country — including those in much larger towns). I saw some nice titles in the recent arrivals bins, but they were just a little too pricey for me to jump on (around $ 20 each, where I’m used to seeing similar quality/​rarity priced at $ 13 – 15). This is a shame, as it will keep me from becoming a regular. The allure of a deal is what keeps me coming into stores now that my collection has fewer gaps than it once did, and given that I do travel a fair amount… annnnddd… given that there is an internet…
Exile does seem to have occasional sales on new vinyl. I bought Bob Mould’s Workbook reissue for 30% off, which was a fair deal on a record that’s hard to come by in its original pressing (and thus pricey) and also typically overpriced in its new pressing.
It seems like Exile could afford to price their used records $ 3 – 4 cheaper on average. They would probably come out ahead in the long run and keep their stock moving, but maybe the customer traffic just isn’t substantial enough. Lord knows, it’s tough out there…

The new location (well to me), is just down the block in the old train station and a great upgrade. Boxes of used vinyl, new releases, CD’s and the rest of their assorted selection… which includes vintage clothes as well, go figure. What I like best is the great expansion of their used vinyl. Pretty much everything I saw is in ready to play condition. They just got several boxes of jazz vinyl with the 2 record Blue Note reissues, and these are all near impossible to find anymore. Not a scratch on them. Found some used BB King and first pressing Coltrane on Impulse (his famous quartet) as well. Records were priced accordingly, so some things might seem a little pricy, but nothing is over the top. I am also very willing to pay for this kind of quality and selection.
The owner as always is great to talk to and knows his stuff. I can spend all day and all my money here in a heart beat. I still love the Record Swap, but I think Exile is now the best record store in Chambana. A much needed update from my old review. Even more so, a must stop for me when I come back and visit this great town. I also love how physical record stores all over are expanding and thriving.

A rad spot, and now in a new location along with Dandelion that I think is extra rad. There’s a lot more space, a small stage for shows and the staff is great. If you like music (or vintage clothes for that matter), definitely stop in and say hey.

Independent, awesome, friendly, great selection. Done… OK… Unilocal admin wouldn’t let me end my review with Done. Was too short? So… in a long winded kind of way that I don’t really like to review things, I really dig what Exile does. Great events throughout the year in addition to just being a retail spot. Get your Wax Poetics, Get your game one, Get some god damn records

One of the best places in town to do business IMO. A great place to vinyl and video game hunting. In my experience, if there’s something you want they don’t have, they’re happy to special order it for you which reminds me of ma and pa stores of old. The place also has great sales from time to time and the only real place to go for Record store day in the area. If you frequent the joint enough, you’ll be on a first name basis with all who work there in no time. I’ve frequently walked out of there with something I had never anticipated based on good advice and recommendations from those who work there and owner Jeff.
check it out!

A locally owned shop for all your audiophile and gaming needs from the past + today.
Whenever I need a vinyl that they might not have in stock, I make a special order and within days it’s at the store waiting for me. Thank you for keeping my ears happy all these years!

It’s a cool little shop with character and a lot of variety packed in, considering the size of the store. If the owner is still the same, then we even have the same name (Jeff Brandt). I’ve been in several times, though, and for one reason or another I never came out with anything.

This is the most ideal local record store I can imagine, and we have it right here in Champaign! A great selection for every kind of person and an owner who should win awards… DAILY! This is the place.

I’m so glad we still have a record store in Champaign. Great, helpful staff. If what you’re looking for is not in stock, they will order it. Orders are usually in within the week by my experience. They offer a really nice record collection and have great deals (sidewalk sales) on used CDs. Can you find cheaper prices online? Sure, but buying here shows support to not only Exile, but Champaign and the downtown area. The town is better for having Exile here… let’s keep it that way!

Cool — a local store with records, good bands’ posters adorning the wall, and tons of old-​school (Playstation 2 = not old school, people born in 1995) video games. There have been many a’time where I wanted to buy an N64 game, but…
Holy crap, the prices.
I understand that rent can’t be affordable in somewhere as bustling and urban as the 3-​blocks of downtown Champaign, but seriously… Common LPs for $ 10, easily found at another store for half the price. DVDs are priced like the first price on an infomercial before they say «BUT WAIT!»
Staff has been nothing but nice, if not a bit lackadaisical.
Lower your prices a little and I will be buying — but for now its Ebay, Reckless Records, and Half Price Books in Chicago for me.

There are very few independent businesses like Exile on Main in town, offering new and used movies, games and music. I like browsing here from time-​to-​time, but it’s always a crapshoot if I’ll find something I like. I’m glad to see they’re expanding their used «old-​school» video game section — another thing that will set them apart. They carry some interesting magazines now, too. The staff isn’t always the most welcoming, and (at the risk of sounding like an old man) some of the music they blare out is on the obnoxious side. Overall, a nice destination for music/​movie/​game nerds who want to support a local business.

The radio advertisement for Exile on Main compares this place to the store in the movie High Fidelity and it’s hard not to go along with that. Except it’s so much more than that! I don’t even know if you can get some of these magazines and DVDs at other locations in town. The selection is unique and worth looking through if you’re interested in independent music, films, etc.
Oh, and you can play Donkey Kong or Joust for free on their vintage arcade machines. And they sell candy! And do PC repairs and upgrades for less than other places!