Chicago’s Jazz Record Mart reopens in new location

Back in business.

Once billed as the “world’s largest jazz and blues record store”, Jazz Record Mart had been at the centre of blues in Chicago for five decades before closing doors earlier this year. Climbing rents drove out the business and founder Bob Koester was forced to sell his entire inventory to Wolfgang’s Vault.

Since then though, Koester has been busy acquiring record collections. He’s now decided to open a new shop in the front room of his legendary Delmark Records studio.

The re-opened store already carries 9,000 titles with more on the way. “I’m stilling putting in divider cards, many of which I don’t yet have product for — but I will,” Koester told Chicago Tribune.

With musicians rehearsing and cutting records in the same building, the new shop looks set to become an important Windy City hub. The store is located at 4121 N. Rockwell St. in the Horner Park neighbourhood.

For more on record shopping in Chicago, read our definitive guide to the city’s best vinyl outlets.