Exploring George’s Song Shop: America’s Oldest Record Store

George's Song Shop in Johnstown Pennsylvania is America's oldest record store.

George’s Song Shop in Johnstown is America’s oldest record store!

Vinyl and CDs at George's Song Shop in Johnstown.
Floor to ceiling vinyl and CDs.

For collectors of vintage vinyl, George’s is an a must-see – a floor to ceiling, 5-story shrine to a time when physically owning your music (not owning a license to stream your music) was a real thing!

The rock album section at George's Song Shop in Johnstown PA - America's oldest record store.
The rock album section.

George’s Song Shop is billed as having over one million records and CDs in stock.

George's Song Shop carries over one million records and CDs.
“If we don’t have it, nobody does!”

The selection of 45s is massive yet well-organized, a huge plus when searching for a particular artist or label.

A small sampling of the 45s at George's Song Shop.
A small sampling of the 45s at George’s Song Shop.

George’s Song Shop was opened in 1932 by brothers Eugene and Bernie George.

The front desk at George's Song Shop.
The front desk.

Eugene’s son John George took over the store in 1962, and has been running it ever since.

The classical album section at George's Song Shop in Johnstown PA
The classical album section.

On a recent visit I asked John if he had any K-Tel compilation albums, one of the genres of records I collect, and within minutes he had pulled several stacks of albums for me to look at.

Some of the cassettes for sale at George's Song Shop.
The cassette display case.

So if you are searching for something in particular – ask John, as he’s been tending the store for nearly 60 years!

Records in a second-floor hallway at George's Song Shop.
Records in a second-floor hallway.

There are records in hallways, records in stairwells, and records just about everywhere you look.

Records in a stairwell at George's Song Shop in Johnstown.
Records in a stairwell.

In addition to vinyl, George’s Song Shop CD selection is outstanding, spanning almost every conceivable genre of music.

The CD section at George's Song Shop.
The CD section.

George’s Song Shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm.

George's Song Shop has over one million 45 ppm records in stock at all times.
George’s Song Shop has over one million 45s in stock at all times.

The shop is located in downtown Johnstown, directly across the street from City Hall, at 128 Market Street.  Johnstown, PA 15901.

The five floors of George's Song Shop on Market Street in Johnstown PA
George’s Song Shop on Market Street in Johnstown.

Nearby Attractions

The Spider-Man mural in Johnstown is a tribute to Johnstown native, legendary comic-book artist, and Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko.

The 49-foot wide and 28-foot-high Spider-Man mural on the side of the Stone Bridge Brewing Company in Johnstown Pennsylvania.
The Spider-Man mural in downtown Johnstown.

The Johnstown Flood Museum, located in downtown Johnstown, tells the story of the tragic May 31, 1889 flood that killed over 2,200 people and captured the attention of the entire world, arguably the most famous event to ever occur in Cambria County.

Valley of Death exhibit at the Johnstown Flood Museum.
Valley of Death exhibit at the Johnstown Flood Museum.

The Johnstown Heritage Discovery Center is a museum that tells the story of the region’s iron, steel, and coal industries through the eyes of the everyday people who were the backbone of those enterprises in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Exploring the Johnstown Heritage Discovery Center in Cambria County Pennsylvania.
The Johnstown Heritage Discovery Center.

Hinckston Run Falls is a man-made waterfall formed by the outflow of the Hinckston Run Reservoir near Johnstown.

Hinckston Run Falls in PA
Hinckston Run Falls near Johnstown, PA.

16 Must-See Attractions in Cambria County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Johnstown.

The view from the Johnstown Inclined Plane in Cambria County PA
The view from the top of the Johnstown Inclined Plane in Cambria County.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.