If you're even slightly into vinyl, music history, or good vibes, then there's one place just due west of Chicago that absolutely has to be on your radar: Val’s halla Records in Oak Park. This isn't just a record store. It’s a living, breathing, spinning playlist of Chicago’s musical soul, right in the heart of the Oak Park Arts District.
Walk in, and it feels like the kind of place where music still matters—where an LP isn’t just a format, it’s a story. And Val’s? Val’s is a story in itself.
Let’s drop the needle on a few reasons why music lovers need to make a visit to this legendary shop.
1. Val’s halla Records is a Chicago-Area Legend
First off, the legend is real. Val’s halla Records has been around since 1972, and it was founded by none other than the incomparable Val Camilletti. If you ever had the honor of meeting Val before she passed in 2018, you know: she wasn’t just a record shop owner—she was the shop.
Before launching her own store, Val worked at Capitol Records, brushing shoulders with the big leagues, and she brought that larger-than-life music biz energy to Oak Park. She created a space that felt like part record store, part clubhouse, part collector’s paradise, and 100% community.
Her spirit lives on here, and people still refer to her affectionately as the Legendary Val. One step inside, and you’ll feel her presence in every crate of LPs and handwritten genre signs.
2. It’s a Collector’s Paradise (Vinyl and Cassettes!)
This isn’t your average "hip" pop-up vinyl joint with ten records and a coffee machine. Val’s is a deep dive. We’re talking thousands of LPs, 45s, cassettes, CDs, and even the occasional 8-track if you’re feeling extra retro. The bins are packed, the shelves are stacked, and every corner holds the potential for a surprise find. It’s the kind of place where you lose track of time and leave with way more than you planned.
Whether you're crate-digging for vintage Elvis, obscure indie releases, or that one jazz record your uncle swears changed his life in 1967, chances are it’s here.
3. It’s Home to Live Music and Local Residencies
What could be better than a record shop? Live music in a record shop.
Val’s doesn’t just sell music; it makes it happen. The shop regularly hosts live performances from local artists, touring acts, and in-store residencies that turn Saturday afternoons into living-room concerts with a whole lot more vinyl.
You might walk in on a whim and find a folk singer strumming under a disco ball. Or maybe it’s a funk band doing a warm-up set before hitting a venue in downtown Chicago. Either way, it’s electric, intimate, and always a good time.
4. The Staff Curates Killer Playlists and Knows Their Stuff
Ever walk into a record store and feel like you’re being judged for not knowing who produced a deep cut from 1978? That’s not the vibe here.
The team at Val’s makes it feel like you’re talking to your music-loving best friend. Ask for recommendations, talk about your weird love of 90s ska, or just listen to whatever’s spinning on the turntable. You might walk out with a few new obsessions.
And don’t sleep on their themed playback nights, where they’ll feature full albums and deep dives into artists or genres you didn’t know you needed in your life.
5. Record Store Day at Val’s is Basically a Holiday
You haven’t really done Record Store Day until you’ve done it at Val’s. Every April, the store becomes a block party of sorts, packed with rare releases, live music, giveaways, and that old-school community feel that big box stores just can’t manufacture. There are lines out the door, coffee flowing, and enough buzz in the air to make even casual fans giddy.
Die-hard collectors show up early, local bands drop in to play a few tunes, and everyone leaves with at least one record they didn’t expect to find. If you’re in Oak Park, River Forest, or really anywhere in Illinois, it’s worth the drive just to be part of it.
6. General Manager Shayne Blakeley Keeps the Spirit Alive
Speaking of which, let’s talk about Shayne Blakeley, the shop’s current general manager. Shayne isn’t just running the store—he’s living it. He’s one of those people who knows everything about music, but somehow doesn’t make you feel dumb for asking if Adele was on vinyl (spoiler: she is, and you should get it).
In the late 1990s, a young Shayne moved from Michigan to Chicago and landed a job at Val’s straight out of high school. What started as a cool gig quickly turned into something much bigger. In fact, he became Val Camilletti’s right hand, helping her steer the store through a major transition in the early 2000s. From 2006 until Val’s passing in 2018, the two ran the shop side by side, finding a sense of community and creative purpose in the Oak Park Arts District.
Today, Shayne is the heartbeat of Val’s halla. He’s made it his mission to keep the store’s soul intact; the deep catalog, the quirky charm, the fierce love of music. That means a killer selection, lots of heart, and a place where anyone—from lifelong collectors to curious teens—feels instantly welcome.
7. They’ve Got an Online Presence, Too
Can’t make it in person? No worries. Val’s has you covered at valshallarecords.com. It’s a great way to browse their inventory, keep tabs on upcoming events, and feel connected even if you’re not in the immediate Oak Park or Chicago area.
But we’ll be honest: nothing beats being there in person. The smell of vinyl, the handwritten notes on the bins, the buzz of someone discovering their favorite album again for the first time… it’s magical.
8. It’s in the Heart of the Oak Park Arts District
If you haven’t explored the Oak Park Arts District, you’re seriously missing out. This stretch of Harrison Street is full of indie shops, cafes, art galleries, and local businesses that make it feel like the cool part of town your city forgot to build.
After your Val’s visit, grab a coffee next door, check out a local exhibit, or stroll around and soak in the creativity. The district has a way of inspiring you to do something; write a song, start a playlist, buy your first record player.
We can’t tell you what, but if it's something good, definitely keep us posted.
Final Track: Make the Trip
You know those places that just stick with you? Val’s is that. It’s more than just a record store. It’s a piece of music history in the middle of Oak Park, a haven for music lovers, and a warm, weird, wonderful corner of Illinois that still believes in the magic of music.
Whether you live in Chicago, are road-tripping through the area, or just Googled “cool record shops near me” and got lucky—put this on your list.
You’ll go for the records. You’ll stay for the stories. And you’ll leave feeling like maybe the world still spins at 33 ⅓ RPM, just the way Val would’ve wanted.
Want to learn more or plan your visit? Hit up valshallarecords.com for store hours (they’re open Monday through Sunday, except on Wednesdays) and upcoming events. Just be warned: you might leave with more vinyl than you planned and a heart a little more full than when you walked in.