Don’t be fooled by the small size and modest selection of Cleveland’s newest record store, Hausfrau Records. Inside this unassuming storefront in the Detroit-Shoreway/Gordon Park neighborhood lies some impressive pieces of vintage punk, hardcore, garage, and indie rock vinyl.

On my first trip, I dug up two early 45s by the classic, Canadian indie-rock band, Eric’s Trip. One week later, I left the store with albums by Yo La Tengo, Thinking Fellas Union Local 282, and Oblivians with Mr. Quintron. And, on my most recent outing I found Soundgarden’s first EP on Subpop and one of the collaborative releases between Robert Fripp and Brian Eno.

It’s worth pointing out again, just how new Hausfrau Records is to the Cleveland vinyl scene. It’s so new in fact, that the walls are still plain grey and green. There’s just one counter, one employee, a vintage Schlitz lamp in the rear of the store and the bins. And while those bins have been stacked during the first month of business, there’s no guarantee that it will continue to supply those hard to find releases from the late ’80s and early ’90s one year or even one month from now. Like any record store, the quality of the used selection is going to be tied to the quality of customers and the willingness (or necessity) of those customers to part with rare pieces of their collection.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hausfrau-Record-Shop/332511143433696
Address: 1392 West 65th, Cleveland, OH 44102 (Map)
Selection: New and vintage punk, hardcore, garage and indie rock LPs and 45s with some classic rock records and a smaller sampling of dub/reggae.
Price:  Not only has Hausfrau been able to turn up some rare releases, the prices on those pieces of vinyl have been very generous.  It’s one thing to find the first Soundgarden EP.  It’s another to find that EP and feel like you’re getting a good deal on it.  Most of the records are priced in the $7 to $14 range and even double LPs can be had for less than $20.
Sample Finds: The Oblivians Play Nine Songs with Mr. Qunintron; Yo La Tengo – Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo; Thinking Fellas Union Local 282 – Mother of All Saints; Soundgargen – Screaming Life EP; Robert Fripp and Brian Eno – Evening Star; Eric’s Trip – Opening Song; Eric’s Trip – Warm Girl.