My kind of store- chock full o' stuff, with tons of stuff to dig through, and a "Too Punk Rock To Care" attitude. When moving to the area, oh, two weeks ago, I was afraid my only music outlet would be iTunes or, worse, some mall chain who is about 5 minutes from going under. I used to live in a town that had a great selection of indie music stores, so it was a relief to find B&R. Their used bins are turning into a compost heap, with albums nobody remembers or cares to remember exist, but there are some real gems hidden beneath the top layer of soil. They have an interesting way of deciding which bands get show-cards and which ones don't, so remember to dig deep into the general letter category before giving up- it just might be in there! Also, if you're looking for vinyl, this would be the place to go, is my bet. Hell, my stereo isn't even hooked up yet, and I bought two albums just to help out the indie. Also, they were albums I wanted. I haven't had a chance to dig through the bookstore portion of the store yet, but I'm sure that will be worth another yelp in itself. read more

Where else can you get a Cthulhu plushie? Online, but Black and Read is a whole lot more fun. I love the smell of a used bookstore, and neither location of Black and Read disappoints. The atmosphere is great, too- except the music. What is WITH that music, anyway? Maybe I was just there on the wrong day, but it was annoying! The selection is great, and if you're like me- more bookshelves in your house than you have room for, and they're all full- you can do your best to part with a box full and trade them in for store credit or sell them. Unfortunately, if you're like me, this only leads to coming home with an equally full box- it never really opens any shelf space. In any case, book junkies will love Black and Read. If you're not a book junkie, well, there's always the Cthulhu plushies.... read more

Huge selection. You'll have to take your time to find that hidden gem but I bet it's there. Well-organized into many specifically defined categories. I didn't even make it into the music section but it looked tempting. I'll be back. Oh, and they buy books too. read more

There are plenty of record stores in the Denver area but none of them have the same selection as Black and Red. They have more 8 tracks, VHS tapes, and cassette tapes than anywhere else in a 20 mile radius. Their staff is highly knowledgeable and can lead you right to the music you're looking for. If you're looking for used books this is the place. Their selection is vast and gives all the used book stores in the area a run for their money. I will definitely be spending more money here soon. read more

What an awesome place for music, movies, games, books, and so much more! I don't mind the drive up there for some shopping on my days off. I can always find something on each trip! read more

I love this store, we have been going for years now! But they seem to have trouble hiring people that have anything near customer service skills. I just placed a simple call to them on 12/4/2008 about 12:30 PM. asking if they carry gift-cards. The man answered yes then hung up on me?? I Would like to amend that the store owner personally contacted me about my review and made all apologies. I mean really who does that anymore? Well they do and that makes them awesome on my list. Not only did they prove they care about their customers, but they guaranteed a life time one here. Thanks Again guys! P.S, that review doesn't include link (you know who i mean) that guy rocks and will give you the time of day. read more

Black & Read has a great tabletop gaming section. It's only a little more than one aisle but there is a little bit of everything. Plus, it's all about 10-20% off MSRP so it is closer to Amazon pricing. We drive from Colorado Springs to "visit family" so we can stop at Black & Read. It's a little musty, dusty and cramped, but that's the only knock I have on it. read more

This is a cherry of a record store with prices to match! I did find a mint original pressing of a Dukes of the Stratosphere album, I had been on the lookout for. It was 20$ I cringed and bit the bullet. They know what they are selling and your chances of scoring a deal are low. They had several of the Beatles butcher cover album, that had price tags over a thousand. A Sid Barrett album was on display as well. For a true collector looking for mint items, they have your back. I cannot see myself indulging here too often. The other half of the store is a used book and video shop. For a bargain they were having a buy two used cd's get one free. read more

If you dig board games. This place is an ABSOLUTE MUST!!! They have the best selection of games in denver. Wizards sleeve may be slightly better if you like ameritrash games, but it's a close call. I'm a euro fan and this place delivers like no other. The staff are super nice, and you will find their prices are mostly equal to or sometimes LESS than websites like amazing or cool stuff inc. no idea how they do it. read more

I've been popping in to Black and Read for years now, and I'll occasionally find something worth the trip, like a clean piece of vinyl, an out-of-print paperback or piece of kitsch. Sometimes (sometimes), I will encounter some attitude from the staff, but generally they're harmless and will grunt you toward what you're looking for. Also, it wouldn't kill them to close the doors for a few days and just do a big clean up in there. It's like shopping in a 14 year old boys' room sometimes. Which can actually be pretty cool. read more

The Black and Read is one of the best used book stores and music in the Denver metro area for sure. The staff there are quirky and friendly and the music and books are at good prices. They also have a pretty cool T-shirt selection too! When I moved to Arvada in 2000 they also had very unusual video rentals that you could find no where else in the state. They actually had the Star Wars Christmas Special on tape for you to rent(yes there is such a thing as a Star Wars Christmas Special) and just so many more to pick from. I don't know if this investment was profitable for them anymore or if the owner wanted to keep these tapes for himself but they quit renting out videos after a couple of years. This has to make me ding them down by one star. They also have a great selection of DVD's and VHS movies to get at really good prices. read more

If you are cool, you'll love this place. If you don't love this place, you stink. Just teasing. :-) But seriously, this place is rad. It is absolutely overflowing with dusty books/games/VHS tapes/DVDs. Unique things scattered everywhere. And that's the fun thing about it. It's like visiting your crazy great-great-aunt's attic. They have typical great nerdy stuff- Magic cards, D&D games and books, etc. But they also have plenty of things to interest your non-nerdy girlfriend! So mixed couples (D&D/D&G- Dungeons and Dragons + Dolce and Gabbana) can visit this place in harmony. read more

I like Black and Read. The record store part is awesome, if you're into that sort of thing. Their book selection is kind of organized, and seems like a fair selection. However, I've sometimes left empty-handed because I couldn't find anything I liked. HUGE Sci/Fi/Fantasy section, tons of D&D gaming books and such, but not a huge selection of fiction, which is what I like. Besides that, I love the vibe of the bookstore. Piles and piles of books, full shelves with books pouring out, etc. read more

Have been going here since my oldest brother could finally drive us around.... that was over 15 years ago!! I love this place. It is as Home to me as Arvada itself. Don't buy stuff online it's usually not cheaper. Most importantly you won't have the thrill of discovering something new like can get from a place like this. My fiancé doesn't like how cluttered it is but that is half the magic for me. Stores like this are a dying breed. This ain't no IKEA! read more

This place is great! The customer service always rocks (tee hee pun totally intended) and their selection is amazing. They have books (ALL kinds of books), vinyl, tapes, CDs, movies, video games, comics, t-shirts, swag, they even sell record players which is cool. I sold some records here and got an awesome deal. I can't wait to go back and buy some books for school here. Definitely check it out! read more

I want to give more stars because I love the idea of this place but every time I come to this location I am lost. I'm not sure what the prices are. And the price I do find on books I usually think well that cant be the their sale price? can it ? it's a little high priced very close to regular price not what i expect for a used book that is not a collectible item. However, for video games my husband has found a couple decent ones. ******************* I miss the location on Wadsworth and 44th . They had the great deals and friendly staff read more

Cool business, just poorly executed. This place is awesome to walk through and look at all their cool stuff; but unless you're there to buy vinyl, you won't find a good deal. I went in there with 10 DVDs and they gave me $10 for them. I also brought in (easily) $500 worth of roleplaying books and was offered $60 for them. I don't think they were trying to gyp me; I just think they didn't know the value of the merchandise. Yes, they have everything from Nintendo games to Magic: the Gathering Cards and board games. However, if it's new, the price will be the same or more expensive than any other retailer. If it's used, the price will be about 2-3 times what you could get it for on ebay after shipping. Example: As I was walking by the CDs, I found Hoobastank's self-titled CD (from 2001!), used, priced at $9. Amazon.com currently has 231 used copies for sale with the cheapest one being $.01 + $3 S+H. Same thing with "Place in the Sun" by Lit (from 1999). Amazon.com has 148 copies for sale, cheapest being $.01... Black and Read selling it for $9. The only deal that I found was that they had a $60+ board game, never used, for $40. That was it. Everything else (besides vinyl) was waaay overpriced. My friend went in for vinyl only: he sold them some old vinyl records and bought some new ones. He said their pricing was fair/average. So, if you need to wheel and deal with records, go ahead! If you need anything else, just get it online. read more

With Covid-19 times have been tough. Lost my job in the music industry. I went on the Black & Read website and in the Sell To Us section it says,. "Right now we need these badly! If you have any to sell- please bring them in for Cash!" I spent a day going thru things and put together a big tub full of DVD's, Books, Video Games, Computer Games, and some vinyl records. I meticulously inventoried it all and made sure to only take the items that were in really good shape. I took this tub which weighed about 50lbs and hopped in the bus. I was willing to deal with all this because I desperately needed some grocery money. After a 2 hour commute with 2 transfers I arrived at Black & Read. I was told to talk to Derrick. He was unbelievably rude. He refused to even took a look at the stuff I hauled across town on a bus. The website says they need these items badly and this guy refused to even look at the collection I brought in. Then I witnessed him deal with two different sets of people who had just a couple items for sale and they left with cash in hand. I was extremely upset with being treated so rudely by this guy and totally being refused Service. Won't ever bother going in that store again read more

Good selection of vinyl records at reasonable prices. I like to stop in and check out their selection of newly added albums. You can always find something that catches your attention. Good selection at good prices. read more

If you are clausterphobic, please don't step foot in this store. I have been here on numerous occasions, and I always come back. I always go straight to their book section, and I havent looked much at their music part of the store. Either way, you can always find something you like in this jumbled mess of a store. I recommend dedicating at least an hour to finding something that suits you. Their books are fairly priced, and usually in pretty decent shape. I recently went to look for a cookbook, and found at least 4 large book shelfs full of strange, yet perfect cookbooks. If you arent looking for anything inparticular. For people in school, they also have a decent selection of college text books. Most are probably not the exact edition needed, but it could save you quite a bit! I really have nothing more to say. You really just have to check it out for yourself. read more

I've been going to this place for years and I love the wide selection of books. It's like entering a maze of books, games, and music. It great to trade old books for store credit. Sometimes the owner can be abit grumpy and doesn't always give the best deal on a trade but if you catch him on a good day he can be quite friendly and generous with trades. Overall it's one of my favorite book shops. read more

Black & Read - Great book I just found there. - Vinyl Records Near Me - Arvada, Colorado

Great Prices on new and used stuff. I wish I lived closer to Black & Read. Once I build up a decent list of what I need, I'll head up there. Books, Music, and Games, what more do you want? The store might look a mess and unorganized, however all the employees know where everything is placed. My favorite thing about this store is the huge used collection of RPG books and rules, at a great price. This store is hard to beat. Pro: Great Prices Con: it's messy read more

Great place, great staff. Everyone there is always super helpful and friendly. Can always count of finding something cool at this store. They have an amazing selection of records, cds, tapes, games, books, you name it, they probably have it! read more

Amazing selection of used records and books. The staff is very helpful without the typical record store attitude. The kind of place I can spend hours in every time I visit. read more

Do not go here to sell anything. They offered me $35 for a box of graphic novels, including a full, like-new set of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series, as well as a second boxed set I purchased from them three years ago for $40. She tried to explain they would sell Sandman for $10 apiece at half price, but with the other like-new graphic novels in the box, that meant she was offering me about $1 per book. Get outta here. The Sandman set alone sells for $120 used on Amazon, and you offer me $10?! I've been a regular customer since 2006, but now I'm not giving you my spare money that I know you're not on the up-and-up. read more

They do a good job in keeping an eclectic selection of board, card, and rpg games in stock, and I never leave without buying something. What's concerning is that every time I visit, the store is more and more disgusting - dirty, stacks of boxes everywhere, etc. I've had some good experiences with staff and some lackluster ones. The older gentlemen are very cordial and helpful. On one visit, I was treated very rudely by a younger male staff member who looked like he hadn't bathed in months. Another time a 30-something female staff member seemed put out when I asked the price of something that didn't have a price tag. She refused to look up the value of the item, instead asking me to put my name on it and she would call me. I never received a call, and came back a week later and no one could find my "reserved" item. Some good organizing, deep cleaning, and staff training on just being nice can go a long way. Despite all of these things, I will still shop here, because I like supporting the local shops and they do have new board games at 15-20% off the list price (still more expensive than Amazon but worth the discount if you want to support your local game store). read more

(I'm reviewing this as a reader, not a record buyer.) Wide selection of books with multiples of the more popular books. My issue with the shop is the prices. Some of the books are obviously well used but are still priced a little high for my taste. On a recent hunt for a series I wanted, I stopped here and found the four books but it would have cost me upwards of $45. At the thrift store down the street I found the same series in better condition for $6. Also, every time I am here, I want to organize the books. They're a bit disorganized. They do however have a wide selection and good sales and it's an interesting place to visit. read more

Awesomely chaotic little store. There are things EVERYWHERE. It's kind of part of the quirky old bookstore charm. Be careful not to trip while navigating! I always loved browsing in the past but I and my boyfriend came to buy some Magic cards recently. They have a decent selection of cards, and the lady who was helping us at the counter seemed to be pretty knowledgeable, though I could tell she was understandably pretty busy and occupied trying to tame the piles and piles of product around her :) My only wish was that they had the magic cards displayed in another place in the store. I wanted to take closer looks at things and felt a bit cramped for space on the small counter and almost to shy to keep asking her to switch and grab things for me over and over again. Even so, we'll be back. Thanks again! :) read more

The arrogance and rudeness of the majority staff have gotten to my last nerve. I wish I could rate it higher due to the amazingly large selection and knowledge of the staff to locate rarities but their attitudes have killed it for me. I used to love coming here but I am afraid I shall not be for future purchases. Tip go to 2nd and Charles at Flat Irons Crossing, better prices better people. read more

I like this place. But it feels closed in and claustrophobic. A LOT of stuff to check out. Huge place. It's organized well, I think but there's so much stuff crammed in this place. Good prices for the most part. They're helpful if you need to find something in particular. I would go back. I like this location better. read more

I love old school music stores. This place is heaven for a music nerd like myself. I can spend hours browsing through there huge selection of CD's and vinyl. read more

5 stars -- because this primarily used book store is so much like walking into a new bookstore crafted for your tastes. We picked up: A couple Vine Deloria books Some Barefoot Books (publishing company for kids) A couple books on anarchism A new copy of the sublime stitching pattern book A new Derrick Jensen book And so on. They even gave us a discount since it was our first time. Maybe it's not perfect, but I'd venture to say it's the best used book store in Denver. read more

how cool is it that black & read actually exists in the suburbs? i grew up near there (and now live in the city), but still, for the sanity of the poor high school kids growing up in arvada/westminster, i'm so thankful this excellent indie media store/cultural oasis exists in the otherwise conservative/corporatized land northwest of denver. read more

I have been shopping here for about 24 years and they are my go to place to find games, books, and DVDs The discounts on new games makes checking there first a great option. Kari will even special order games for me if they are not in stock. The sheer number of books is staggering especially enjoy the metaphysical/occult section. They even carry tarot cards! read more

Love this place, especially because of the used Jazz CD section. It's great when a store understands what jazz really is. Bravo. The owner is a big jazz fan; you'll see him around at concerts, festivals, etc. read more

Growing up, I often visited used book stores, mostly because I couldn't afford the prices of new books. A used book store was a fun place to hang out, too. Usually there was some quirky album playing in the background, and your steps would creak over old wooden floors covered with threadbare carpet because the building was so old and rickety. These places were open and inviting, smelled of incense, and were visited by all sorts of patrons, from grey-haired hippies wearing thick glasses and baggy jeans perusing the Eastern religion stacks, to young moms with a kid or two in tow rummaging through dog-eared Dr. Seuss books. You didn't need to worry about fitting in, and I remember overhearing conversations that made me smile. Silly and esoteric stuff, mostly, but it made you feel cool just to be there. Sadly, Black and Read doesn't meet my expectations. All the right elements are there -- the quirky background music, the tall book stacks, and a general unkempt feeling -- but, it's not a place where I want to burn an afternoon. Maybe it's because there's no place to sit and read, or because the best stocked shelves are reserved for role-playing games and their ilk, or because I bought the only Philip K. Dick novel in the store. I dunno. I might be overlooking something, since I have friends who like the store, but I can't recommend it. read more

Really enjoyed everything about Black & Read (except for the long drive to get up here!). Tons of vinyl to pore over and tons of books. They had just about everything a nerd could love. And I didn't even think their prices were that bad. read more

This place rocks, smells of incense, there are books stacked everywhere and you can spend hours just looking around. Great prices on used books and they have a massive variety. There is also a record stored attached, so no matter what you are looking for, if you cannot find it elsewhere, there are sure to have it here. Take an afternoon and go find some cool books to read. read more

What a fun store! My boyfriend and I just bought a record player and have been on the search for an awesome collection of records without the huge price tag. Low and behold somewhere like this exists in the Arvada area. And they even have books! Double score. We came here in the middle of the day and we had the whole place pretty much to ourselves. I must admit that it's a little overwhelming at first because there is stuff EVERYWHERE! We started in the book area, and there are so many options of used books from every genre! Some of the books are pricey for what they are, but then you find some really good deals on others. The also have an extensive board game collection. I'm almost positive that you can buy any board game here, even if it is an off-the-wall one. Next we decided to go to the music side of the store, which was awesome! They have so much selection on used(and some new) vinyl records. I found some great music to add to our collection and didn't end up spending a small fortune. I will definitely return soon to look for more music and books! read more

Great selection of all kinds of fun stuff. I like digging through the records and board games. I don't make it here often but it's always a stop on record store day. read more