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    Protean Books & Records

    4.7 (31 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Barbi B.

    I went to a comedy show here and also checked out the main area with all of the books and records. I've been here once before that as well. This place is a total gem, one of those offbeat places with tons of character. All kinds of weird, goofy, cool, nerdy stuff. I plan to go back for old video games and maybe some used books.

    Rylan S.

    I'm not big into books or records myself, I don't see the point. But my girlfriend is heavily into the scene and I picked this place out for her and I to go to. You can tell the guys working there are genuinely into the scene as well and the entire place is very aesthetic. They have a large variety of everything including old Xbox games, dvds, books, records, cds, even large replica figures of popular fictional characters. Like I said I'm not into it myself however if I were this would be my go to place to shop! If you're in the area I'd highly recommend it. Side note: the bathroom is a vibe! A lot nicer than other places in the area too.

    Crypt exhibit
    Kyle R.

    Protean Books & Records is an awesome store. They've got an amazing selection of retro toys, retro video games, used books, and vinyl. I spent quite awhile browsing around. They have an interesting "occult" section filled with books about really wacky conspiracy theories and witchcraft, which was fun to just peruse. They also have a lot of Star Wars merchandise, especially action figures. The space itself is huge (it's a warehouse), and from the outside the building is relatively unmarked and nondescript. You'll want to ask to see the "Crypt of Curiosities," which sits in a room off the main sales floor. It's a campy, sideshow attraction type exhibit filled with gaff taxidermy and creepy stuff with funny, tongue-in-cheek museum wall labels. It's goofy, but it's unique and made me smile

    'Freak show'

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    7 years ago

    Food was very good, place was busy and service a bit slow, sat at counter, watched operations. Hometown diner experience. Tables too close

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    13 years ago

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    11 years ago

    This was a small little shop, but had lots of records to sort through. Also, books!

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    8 years ago

    Really cool selection, really chill employees. Overall friendly vibe. Will definitely visit again

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    Ask the Community - Protean Books & Records

    Review Highlights - Protean Books & Records

    Steve is always friendly, and even kept a list of books I was interested in finding, under the register for me.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    El Suprimo Records

    El Suprimo Records

    4.2
    (26 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $

    This is by far one of my new favorite record stores in the area. Thankfully I stopped by and it was…read moreopen--this is my favorite way to shop--I love digging and this is digging paradise! It felt like you had private access to some secret stash! Jack is absolutely so sweet and made it a fun experience. The prices were reasonable and I found so many great albums. I can't wait to go back and explore more!

    This shop is a 5 star rating in my book because I'm the type of record shopper who likes to flip…read morethrough stacks and discover awesome finds. You'll find rarities and original print classics here, so that's why you should come to El Suprimo. There are other shops in Fells Point where you can get new releases and reissues, which are great of course, but this is my preferred record shopping experience. Based on that, I love this place. The record shop is within short walking distance of the water taxi. It's close to the corner of Aliceanna and South Broadway. It's also across the street from Cafe Latte'da, where you can get a coffee to caffeine up before looking through records. The store is located in the lower level of the building, so you take a few steps down to enter. It's a small space, but it's packed with records and there are things to look at all over the place. Don't forget to look down because there are also crates on the floor to look through, too. Every time I've gone there, I've seen the same guy, who really knows his music and what's in the store. My boyfriend and he talked about pre-war Memphis blues music once while I found a super-cheaply priced copy of David Johansen's Live It Up in good condition (I was all excited). Anyway, this is a great shop. Only one thing for those with allergies - consider taking a hit of fexofenadine/pseudoephedrine a.k.a. Allegra-D before you go in (that's what I do) - it handles used records and can be a little dusty. Happy record shopping!

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    Strawberry Fields Hampden

    Strawberry Fields Hampden

    4.3
    (18 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $

    I've walked by Strawberry Fields quite a few times but never took the time to browse. They always…read morehave some jewelry and other goodies for sales on the sidewalk and most of it looks like a jumbled, disorganized mess because, well, it is. It's the kind of place you definitely need time to sort through piece by piece to find some treasures. The owner can be a little much, as others have noted on here, but that's the kind of zany personality I suppose you can expect from a vintage shop owner. She seems to want to be helpful to her customers and points out all the deals and special items - although I could see how this might come across as overbearing. She helped me find a cameo necklace after I inquired, which I ultimately passed on, but I appreciated that she took the time to show it to me. The signage for some of the deals is a little unclear. I overheard a customer pick up rings from the "buy four get one free" section and then be told that those rings weren't part of the sale... definitely very confusing. After several minutes of sorting through, I managed to find a pendant, a necklace, and two rings that I absolutely adore. The total was just under $15 which was a steal considering, upon further inspection, one of the rings ended up being 14k gold. I'll return!

    Wonderful experience ! I stayed for sometime looking through her jewelry collection. At no point…read moredid I feel rushed. A lot more options jewelry wise than other vintage shops around. She even helped me find some pieces I was looking for. All I needed was to give her a description of what I was looking for and she was on it! Lately I've been a big fan of turquoise jewelry and blues. I found some pretty neat finds. Every minute spent was interesting between finding cool pieces and hearing her stories of her working in her shop throughout the years. Very sweet lady! Highly recommend

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    Jewelry
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    Protean Books & Records - videogamestores - Updated June 2026

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