I visited the store for the first time in early February 2026 from out of state. This is a fantastic record store and reminded me of what music shopping once was (for me). I am a CD collector since I started collecting in the early 1990's, when the music biz told us all that records were dead, never to come back and that CDs were superior. I won't argue about which is better, I am just looking for CD's. There was a time when CD was king but these days it's all about the vinyl. The reason I loved the store so much is because of their selection of NEW CDs. Most record stores carry very little in the way of new CDs. Sometimes they will have more popular 'catalog' titles that a random customer comes in for. However, I still buy primarily CDs so this was a very fun store to visit. The selection of new cassettes was very good, too. If you're looking for records, they had plenty of records. I didn't look through them. Someday when I return to Lawrence, I will make time to stop here again. read more

Best record store , hands down, in the KC metro. New arrivals section for used vinyl is always amazing.

we were downtown while visiting 'home'. Having grown up in Lawrence when you had Kief's and doing record hunting the first time around I found it rather soul soothing to go into a place again and thumb through a thousand records again. Some are new, some are used. Place is packed with records from one end to the other and you have to navigate in/around the people there which is how it was done in the old days. I remember finding 'The Information Society' in downtown Lawrence as a teen, was funny to me in that I was picking up They Might Be Giants first release, and the Big Science release from Laurie Anderson. Things I did in the late 1980s once before. I hate feeling like some old person saying 'back in my day' but there is a sense of contentment to flip through a huge selection of sounds, seeing things and deciding if based just on the cover if it's worth spending your hard earned money on. Something playing over head selected by someone who works there, finding something new, it was a shared experience that I think we miss now with everything algorithmic and solo. The only downside being that it's hard to balance a solid selection in a physical location, I'm sure compared to 'online' but there's nothing quite like flipping through records and finding something you were looking for. Solid pricing for a retail location in downtown, you're not going to buy 11 records for a penny like Columbia house but you won't be disappointed with the selection and the hunt. read more

Best record store within a 600 mile radius. A good variety of records across genres both new and used. A good, fair grading system for used vinyl. Also a good selection of 45s which you don't always see around the area. If you live in KC and are looking for records, make a day trip to Lawrence and the Love Garden. read more

great store with w wide selection. was assisted by a very helpful employee. always love stopping in. read more

Love Garden Sounds - chardonnay - Music & DVDs Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

This is one of the only record stores in the area that I feel totally comfortable in. It's not intimidating or "TOO COOL" to be in. Not that it isn't cool, because it's EXTREMELY cool in there. The customer service is great -- it's not overbearing -- you'll get left alone to sift through the records as you please, but if you do need help, everyone is very nice and accommodating. The organization is not only fantastic, but it's colorful and fun. They've got a great selection of records AND CDs. I always make sure to stop by this place when I'm in Lawrence. I've been to record stores all over the country, but this one is my far my favorite. read more

Love Garden Sounds - Cute graphic for their sign - Music & DVDs Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

My favorite record store. I grew up in Lawrence and Love Garden was a weekly go to. A little has changed since the early 90's, but the core of the store remains. There's a decent selection of media that caters to alternative tastes. The store cats are still a strong part of the shopping experience. Their staff are passionate about their roles in providing music to you. Whenever I am in town I spend more money there than any sane person should. My recent visit for a concert at Liberty Hall I was staying across the street and visited twice to take advantage of their stock. This is a must visit every time I come to town. read more

Yesterday was Record Store Day #2 and I called around looking for the Jesse Dayton 7" special release. It was sold-out in my area and thought to call Love Garden Sound because of my great experience the last time I was in Lawrence, KS. I spoke with a friendly guy (Kelly?) Who checked and had a copy available. Here's where it gets interesting... my son lives in Lawrence, knows nothing about records, vinyl or music but I asked him to stop into Love Garden Sound to make the purchase. Thank you, thank you! to the staff for helping him locate and purchase the record. Great example of customer service at it's best. I can't wait to get back to Lawrence,KS and thank you in person. read more

Besides the odd musty smell of this place, it's a great record store. There seems to be a pretty good mix of contemporary and older records. Plus there's good genre-diversity as well. I got a couple used classical vinyls for a few dollars each, and a new r&b vinyl for reasonable retail price. I'd like to come back again when I have more time to peruse. read more

Plainly put, Love Garden Sounds is an awesome record store... and here's why: The store carries a good sized and diverse selection and not only are the sections clearly marked, but there is plenty of space for you to stand and dig. This diverse selection does skew a little younger and features some newer bands you've probably never heard of, but considering Lawrence's demographics, this isn't a bad thing. The store also does a nice job of making end caps featuring some of those new and upcoming bands that might be playing in town soon. Also, if you're a local band, this place will sell your stuff (and maybe even let you play an in store.) read more

I've been here sporadically over the years and I can't say I really felt the "love" here. That's OK, maybe their idea of love is leaving the customer alone until they are ready to buy. Speaking of buying, they do have some great prices on their vinyl. I have found some records here that are few dollars lower than the KC shops. This might be a good place to go if you are looking to buy many albums all at once. I do like their selection of new and used. They have some rarities and for some reason a lot of CD's. I guess people like to buy CD's still? read more

A fairly standard type of record store. I wasn't wowed but they have an okay selection of music. If you are a vinyl collector like myself, they did have some things I haven't been able to get at other record shops. My boyfriend bought the soundtrack to the movie To Live and Die in LA which was only $5. NOT BAD!!! They even have a cute and friendly store cat. read more

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I'm so impressed with the selection of records here, but I'm even more impressed with the care they put into cataloging and organizing their stock. I came in right before closing on the day of this review, so I barely had a chance to skim the surface of what they offered. I saw so much that I wanted that I'm planning on taking the hour trip back tomorrow because I just have to spend my money here haha I also adored the three cats :) Definitely added a star for the cats. read more

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A grey tabby met us at the door and an orange tabby dazzled us from his dignified spot in a cardboard box. These are the catstars of Love Garden Sounds and they may hate your music taste, but they won't scratch you. Show your love and buy a button with one of these sweet little guys on it. I haven't bought a CD in a proper record store (as us geezers still call them) in years. I had to bite my tongue several times because I almost uttered the unthinkable, "I'll just buy it on I-Tunes." I know, I know! For shame. It's just...CDs take up a lot of damn room! It took me days to change over from hundreds of jewel cases to "the book" when I moved out of my NY apartment last year. Just to give you an idea. I can't help but fall prey to the allure of music files that only take up room on your hard drive. What can I say? I'm a sell out. That said, my guy and I walked out of there with a bunch of stuff, including the super sexy red new Spook Lights 7-inch. along with the new Gotan Project, Gogol Bordello and some oldies but goodies. A nice touch --they allow you to listen to anything that you're considering buying. I swear those cats are up to some nefarious plot to get people to start buying actual CDs again. read more

Vinyl is not my forte so I can't pretend to spew knowledge about the collection Love Garden holds or my fascination with the hobby. I don't even buy CDs anymore. What does intrigue me is how authentic and transparent the place feels. With an address of 936 1/2 Massachusetts, you get a bit curious to the story this place has to share. LGS sits at the pinnacle of a stairwell lined by jackets, creating a passage of artwork that's as steep in climb as it is in tradition. Selection is vast, and the place shows no flashiness. You can listen before you buy ANYTHING and with such a cool staff, I almost went out to rent High Fidelity. LGS is the way record/music stores should be. No frills. No nonsense. Just music. And hey, how freaking cool is a name like Love Garden Sounds? I mean, really? read more

Love Garden Sounds - Music & DVDs Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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Alright, after climbing the steps up to Love Garden I found myself one of nine people during a sleepy afternoon. I was also the one out of nine not looking at vinyl. I felt a little lame... So I pretended to browse the vinyl section like a poser, getting reciprocated smiles from the older hippie couple looking at classic rock, the indie kids scanning alt rock, and the hip hop kids, well, looking for hip hop. It was nice seeing such an eclectic crowd in the same store, finding a little oasis under the medium of music. I made my way towards the back (stopping at the c.d. section like I mentioned), but in the back there's a clearance vinyl area, and cassettes! My old roommate and I used to collect cassettes and have cassette night, where we would blast whatever and have dance parties. I found some she might like and sent them to her for old times sake. I can't wait until she gets that package :) Anyways, Love Garden is definitely that--a small space where the love of music makes everyone happy, and the staff is the gardener, taking care of everyone and everything. read more

Love Garden Sounds - Music & DVDs Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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If you are looking for newly released major label albums, please go to Target, Amazon.com, or somewhere else. Love Garden does not generally stock such items. Instead, it picks up where the big box stores leave off. LG has a solid selection of new releases (on CD and LP when available) from many independent labels as well as oodles of used selections on CD and vinyl, also. Also...they have cats. Many cats. Have I mentioned the cats? I love cats. And I love music. Love Garden has both in spades. They also have some mags, zines, posters, t-shirts, and other music/pop culture ephemera. The employees are knowledgeable and aren't snotty. Also, the store owner LG sends daily and weekly e-mails to anyone who wants them, detailing upcoming releases as well as the rare but welcome in-store (recent performances have included local favorites Ad Astera Per Aspera and the awesome Ian MacKaye). In addition to their good long hours and occasional in-stores, the shop helps local artists by featuring their work on their walls in revolving exhibits. Support your local indie record store!!! Don't let this one go by the wayside. Mass. Street and Lawrence need Love Garden! read more

Love Garden Sounds - Stairway to Record Heaven - Music & DVDs Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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I LOVED this record store! The only problem I had was that I was flying and couldn't buy everything that I wanted. Soooooo much great new stuff. I didn't get to dig around as much as I wanted, to avoid the heartbreak of not buying what I wanted... But did scour the used CDs, finding a few gems I've really been wanting. Also, the two shop kitties I met were a super cute bonus to my trip. (Lack of interest in the customer from the person behind the counter is to be expected from an indie record store, right?...) read more

Love Garden Sounds - Lil' cutie! - Music & DVDs Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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I love vinyl and cats. This place as both in one place and it's magical. I love going in here and seeing what's new and petting the cats. Since I don't live in Lawerence I always stop in stop in here and leave with something great. read more

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The idea of old Lawrence when it was grunge era is the best! Especially the Love Garden they had some of the best weed in town! Peace, love and furry fluffy cat's! read more

No visit to Lawrence is complete without a trip to Love Garden. I've been a loyal customer as long as I've been buying music in cities I don't live in. (many years) The selection is top notch. I can always find something I like. The helpful and friendly staff also make it a great music buying experience. My only beef is their prices have risen faster than inflation rates. Must be the overhead of retail on Mass.. But not obnoxiously overpriced, and the selection makes up for it. They also sell cool vintage home audio equipment! I hope they stick around for many more years. read more

I often tell my friends about how I used to live in a beautiful little hippie wonderland of a town in Kansas, and they never believe me. I try to explain how laid back everyone is, how progressive people TEND to be, and how there are cats in some of the shops downtown. I even try to explain how much good live music there is and I usually even tell them how easy it is to spend 2 hours in Love Garden looking at every possible LP just in case one of your wishlist items is in it. Then I tell them...Love Garden has the best record selection in the town (probably KC too) AND....IT ALSO HAS CATS. Seriously people, think about how great that sounds (unless you're a dog person or allergic to cats, maybe that's not as fun). You get to walk around hunting for vinyl gems, listening to funky music on the PA, and occasionally having a scratchfest with one of the resident shop cats. It basically embodies the Lawrence I love and remember, and I never go back home without spending at least one long post-Zen Zero afternoon in here. Even if I don't find what I was looking for, I can jam with one of the cats for a bit before strolling around Mass. Cats aside, Love Garden EASILY has the best record inventory in the area and honestly I like it better than anywhere I'm aware of in KC, for that matter. The staff is really friendly and helpful and not at all like the judgmental hipsters you saw on High Fidelity. They've always got a good mix of new stuff and old goodies too and they're quite nice to local artists too (you can even find my first album there!). If you love records, you'll probably love Love Garden Sounds. read more

Whenever I need some new tunes to jam out to, I always go to Love Garden. Ever since I've lived in Lawrence, I've loved going to Love Garden. There's not many local record shops that meet Love Garden's quality and environment. Love Garden is a great record store because it has helpful employees, a great variety of music, and a fantastic atmosphere. Love Garden's staff is beyond extraordinary. The quality of service and knowledge each employee has is outstanding. No matter when you go or who is there you'll always find someone to meet your needs. When I first started listening to records, I was misinformed on the quality of my record player. The staff immediately directed me to the best record player for me. And we can't talk about the staff without talking about Sam the cat, the resident musical cat. Meeeow! This store has everything! From Led Zeppelin to Chuck Berry they have almost any kind of music you could imagine. They've got the oldies like Bing Cosby and a lot of new music like Tyler, The Creator. My son loves their newer music. On the other hand I'm all for the classics, but we can still both find music we love! The only complaint is the organization can be a little messy, but that just means you get to look around more and possibly find even more music you never even intended to find! They also have tons of merch, both for the store and for multiple artists. The pure range and amount of music they have is unmatched and honestly is something to gawk at. Love gardens atmosphere is beyond amazing. From the rustic vintage feel to the lighting this place has it all. When you walk in you are greeted by Sam, the resident record cat. Then as you walk around the immaculately organized store you may hear the array of underground music playing over the speakers. Not just the store is interesting, the people you encounter are too. With it being on Mass street at the heart of Lawrence, you may run into the cool hip townies or the young college students exploring the town. As you check out at the front the employees love to spark up a conversation and geek out about your new record. Overall this store has never not exceeded my expectations. Love Garden is easily the best record shop in Lawrence. From the employees to the variety of music even to the general vibe, it's all truly astonishing. If you ever need a good shop to jam out to, here is the place to go! Forget CDs, do you CDeez records I got while at Love Garden. read more

Love Garden, I have loved you more. Yes, I have. I used to go to the old location pretty regularly back when I lived in Lawrence and it had a much bigger selection of vinyl at better prices. Yet still, you're pretty ok. You've kept up the cat tradition and that's really a huge part of the experience at Love Garden, at least for me. During my last trip, I spent more time scratching cat heads than perusing the vinyl because the selection was a bit sad (of vinyl, not cats. The cat selection was top notch). But Love Garden remains a unique quirky little store worthy of checking out whenever I'm in Downtown Lawrence. read more

Love Garden Sounds - Sweet Love Garden kitty - Music & DVDs Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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I rarely buy music from any other store. Mostly because of the cats, but also because of the selection. Honestly, I could spend a good two hours inside Love Garden before I realized how long I'd been there. The have sections for newly released CD's, newly released vinyl, newly traded used CD's and vinyl, new (but not newly released) vinyl and CD's, local albums, DVD's, a collection of turntables, cats, awesome posters, Love Garden shirts, doodad's, whatchamacallit's, and more. If you sign up for their mailing list, you get notified daily of new releases that came in and restocks, as well as the secret password for "password sales" whenever they happen! They have pretty much every genre of music available in the store. From your standard rock and indie and hip-hop, they also have spoken word, international and even classical, on both CD and vinyl, sometimes even on tape! A wag of the finger to Love Garden for taking out their heavy metal section. I either have to get lucky looking in the newly traded used albums or have to spend sixteen hours going through all the "rock" vinyl they have. Bring back the metal! But, aside from that one personal nitpick, Love Garden is a fantastic place. All the people that work there are really nice and fun to talk to, they sometimes host free concerts for local (sometimes national) bands, and there are CATS! SO MANY CATS! It's not uncommon to be flipping through row after row of CD's and have to skip one because a giant lump of purring fur is in your way. It's awesome! It's the best place to buy music in Lawrence! read more

Absolutely fabulous Store. A ton of vintage vinyl at excellent prices. Makes m swish I lived in the area! Will definitely make it a point to come. Y here anytime I'm within 50 miles of Lawrence ! read more

Love Garden Sounds. How do I love thee? I love thee as follows: 1. You didn't laugh at me when I requested any Phil Collins you might get on vinyl be set aside for me and that I be notified so that I may pick it up post haste. 2. You have cats. 3. You have cats that LIKE being touched constantly! 4. Cute shirts/hoodies/messenger bags! 5. Your used vinyl selection is awesome and has helped us to grow our collection to impressive heights! 6. Our out of town friends love you, too! It's hard not to feel a little smug for living in a town that supports an awesome record shop such as you. 7. Kelly! You're awesome, Kelly. Please go and visit Love Garden and buy something. There is a time and a place for downloaded music, but you just can't beat the experience of flipping through aged LPs and finding that awesome deal! read more

Love Garden is _the_ record store to visit. If you're into vinyl, Love Garden is the store where you can while away your day looking, listening, and talking about music. I've been going to Love Garden for almost 20 years. I don't remember exactly when, but back in high school I would drive up to Lawrence, park in the lot on New Hampshire (which is where the parking garage is now), walk around the block and climb the noisy stairs up to the shop above Everything but Ice. The current incarnation of Love Garden is down the block from the old spot, and doesn't have as much square footage as the previous location, but it still has the same vibe, and metric tons of records. Even after my high school years, I carried on an annual tradition that on my birthday I would go record shopping, because your birthday is the day when you get to do all the things that you want to do most. What I wanted to do most was go to Love Garden. I don't even know what to say. The bins of records stretch on forever. Every visit is a treasure hunt, from looking at the rack of recent arrivals, to pawing through the $1 bin to see if there is some album in there that would be worth a cheap pick-up, to looking through the new records by genre to see if there's something you have to have. Recently, I stopped in and was looking through and found that they had the double-album pressing of Stereolab's Emperor Tomato Ketchup. Sure, I already had the single-press album at home, but I could have the double-album. Thick virgin vinyl, deep-cut grooves. I don't know if it really does sound better or "warmer" than digital, but I don't care. There's something supremely satisfying about lowering the needle on a record and letting the album play. I'm a junkie, and Love Garden is my dealer. Back to a more-serious tone, Love Garden is also an independent bastion of a local music store that does music and does it well. They have a knowledgeable staff that loves to be informative about music and will talk with you about it. And I love love love that there are turntables with headphones where you can listen to records before you buy (the used stock, new stock is sealed -- don't go tearing open the sealed stock). Finally, Love Garden usually has a rack of used stereo equipment that is available for purchase. If your timing is good, you can usually find a quality turntable, receiver, or set of speakers for not too much. I do regret walking away from that Gemini turntable that did 33, 45, and 78, and could reverse...but Mrs. R said I already had a turntable and I didn't need another... so I still look in occasionally to see if they have another. Also, stop in to see the cats! Love Garden always has several lovely cats prowling and lounging around the store. Next to books, cats love records. read more

Great selection and customer service. It's easy to lose a lot of time in this store exploring. Proud to have a record store like this in our town! Bonus: my kids love coming here with me thanks to the cats you can find chilling up front or maybe in the metal section. read more

Pretty solid collection of vinyl records and CDs ranging from classic to modern! Friendly staff(while I visited)! Fair pricing as well! They also offer $1 records! read more

Great indie record shop with a wide array of vinyl and CD selections. Love Garden had one of the sweetest New Arrivals sections I've seen in some time on my Aug 19, 2017 visit and the prices were more than reasonable even on rarer items such as an Ohr Records reissue of Guru Guru's UFO ($18). I picked up a VG+ copy of Bobbie Gentry's Ode To Billie Joe ($6) this time. I'm not often in Lawrence so not sure when I'll return but Love Garden will be on my to-do list. read more

Well, when I lived out in Lawrence, this was probably the place I spent the most afternoons in. The atmosphere has kind of a vintage old attic feel and usually has 3 or 4 lazy resident cats laying around to help you pick out shit. Offering a vast selection of CDs and vinyl, it is hard to not find what you want. Especially, with the relatively well-versed but small staff, you will likely get what you want even if you have to order it. One of my favorite aspects of the store is its layout, while also allowing larryville patrons to listen to what they want before they buy it. I have heard of people coming from all over just to visit this awesome local music store. The best record store I know of in the immediate Midwest. read more

This is an excellent record store. I have been to several record stores that supposedly have better selection and staff. Allow me to namedrop: Permanent Records (Chicago), Twisted Village (Boston) and Sound Fix (Brooklyn). Love Garden is simply better than they are, and Lawrence is damn lucky to have this wonderful store here. However, I can't suggest ordering a record from them. I'm still waiting on my record, and it's been four weeks. They told me two, and I've been in twice to see if it's there. On one of those occasions, one of the help was not as nice as he could have been. I've since gotten over it because the store is awesome. Anyway, get with the owner, a light-brown floppy haired guy who looks like he has a moderate, but controlled and pleasant, drug habit. He knows everything about records and is fun. The cats everyone has mentioned have only been friendly to me once, but sometimes I'll find them sleeping in the vinyl and it's a total moment. read more

The atmosphere of Love Garden has improved somewhat since moving to their new location, you no longer have the foreboding climb up the show flier-covered stairs of the 936 1/2 Mass location, instead you walk right in the front door off the street with large display windows on either side, into an elongated shop that stretches an easy 150 feet from front to back. The staff remains the same snarky, twenty-something hipster crowd, and upon their move they got rid of a large portion of their low-dollar items, donating the rest, to keep an always-fresh selection. Like any college town record store you can find some great, fairly-priced and sometimes hard to find records, and the categories are easy enough to sort through. I live in KC, so I'm not able to make it out too often, but when I am in town I always make sure to drop in and see whats new. read more

Solid! Over the years, my taste in musics has varied just about as much as can be. Love Garden has always been there to take my hand and walk me through their menagerie of selections. They have just about everything you could want there, and if they don't have it, they will order it for you. Plus, unlike most record stores on the coasts, they let you listen to any cd in the store before you decide to buy! read more

Love Garden is pretty great! They have a wide variety of music to choose from and if they don't have something that you are looking for, they do their best to get it in for you. I came in looking for a Devin the Dude album a while ago and couldn't find it. When I asked Adam at the counter, he looked it up and said that it wasn't coming out for another two weeks. I said that I would check back in in two weeks and he offered to pre-order it for me. I did, and the second they got it into the store, Adam called to let me know they had it for me. They let you listen to music before you buy. They always have great local art on the walls and a good variety of music mags and zines. And they have the sweetest cats on earth! So much love for Love Garden, I want to open a franchise in Savannah GA (don't steal my idea!). read more

The best and now, pretty much the only record store in town, Love Garden is definitely a scene. Lots of adorable local hipster action there -- I grew up in Lawrence but left decades ago, and was introduced to Love Garden in the '90s by my little sister who was more into the local music scene and its aspirational snobberies. I think if I moved back to Kansas, the insider 'tude would drive me nuts, but as a tourist I find it charming. Besides, Love Garden is a real record store, sadly a dying breed, and clearly is the nerve center of a still marvelously vibrant local music scene - I always find something interesting and unique in their stock and enjoy giving them my money, as my little vote to keep local retail alive. Oh, plus they are a full-service store: both cats and a dog behind the counter. Can't get better than that! read more

Relaxed place. The staff is always willing to give suggestions on things to try. The staff all has their different styles that they like and guide you on. I dont shop much for CDs or Vinyl anymore, but if I do, I'd likely go to Love Garden. read more

Probably on3 of the most friendly record stores I've ever attended. In addition to meeting an aggressively friendly cat, I was actually complimented by one of the store associates for a $1 find. The associate also helped answer questions I had about the quality of some records I was purchasing and small talked about upcoming shows and the snow outside. Maybe it's just me, but I'm more used to the "condescending record store" dude, so I was thrilled to meet some nice folks. Keep it up! read more

I have found some serious hidden gems in the dollar bin. Don't pass it up, the beat-up sleeves often contain pristine records. I would say don't come in looking for something specific, browsing is the fun part. Also, at least one of the cats will probably be laying on the rack in the front window. Stop and say hi. Record store cats are best cats. read more