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Vortex Records
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Music & DVDs [Edit]
2309 Yonge St2nd Fl
Toronto, ON M4P 2C6
Neighbourhoods: Mount Pleasant and Davisville, Yonge and Eglinton
(416) 483-7437
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 10 am - 8 pm
Thu-Sat 10 am - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
3 reviews for Vortex Records
3 reviews in English
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Review from Kat F.
At first you might think Vortex is too far out of the way judging by its address alone, but once you make the trek to Eglinton station you'll see there's so much more at that corner than you had previously thought. I usually do a Triple Threat Shopping Expedition: Delineation for all my high end/hard-to-find hair products, Solutions for drawer dividers, storage containers and other gadgets, and Vortex for used CDs and DVDs. Perhaps a quick jaunt to the Yonge/Eg BMV location if I'm feeling leisurely.
Vortex is easily missable - it's on the east side of Yonge Street just north of Eglinton and is only marked by a door and a stairwell to the upstairs store. I've accidentally walked past it many times and had to turn back.
These guys have been in business for over 20 years and the owners know their stuff. The store has everything - well-organized used CDs and DVDs that span the perimeter of the store, and a killer rotation in the New Arrivals area, which is the hottest spot in the store. Usually you have to fight to sneak your way in so if no one is standing in front of it when I arrive, I head straight for it.
If you're looking to sell your old CDs and DVDs, Vortex is the best place to get top dollar for your wares. I find I can get much more money here than at Sonic Boom or any of the other used shops in the city. Also, the staff have discerning taste and they know when you're selling something that's worth their dollars and won't rip you off.
You can get more money if you buy in store credit or pick something up on your way out (which is usually what happens - I mean, how can you possibly NOT find something in here?!). Everything is reasonably priced and because it's a bit out of the way and not near other record stores, it's usually not picked over, either.Listed in: Records, CDs and Tapes…
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Review from Harrisimo F.
Toronto, ON
3/16/2012
Vortex is an excellent place to shop for vinyl because interesting stuff always seems to find its way into their bins and the price tag is often quite fair for rare items.
It also has a pretty diverse selection of cd's and dvd's and the location has got some character in itself as it sits atop a restaurant and is accessed through a door you could easily pass by a thousand times and not notice.
In light of the good pulls I have had over the years at Vortex, I gotta show it some love, but in all honesty the selection is usually quite limited beyond one or two choice picks and the lack of a listening station leave much to be desired in terms of customer service.
The current employee's seem to be of a higher elk than they previously were as I can recall many times throughout the years where one of the sardonically bitter employees working there have actually been rude to me because I wanted to listen to a record before buying it; something which should be very standard for a business that sells vinyl.
These characters give record nerds like myself a bad name and perpetuate the stereotype that record store workers are a bunch of washed up DJ's who hide behind a pompous veil of exclusivity and sarcasm to mask their unfulfilled dreams...
Oh wait, maybe that's not a common stereotype and I just made that up now, ah well.
Overall, Vortex is a cool place and a good way to kill some time if you are stuck in the woefully boring and uninspired area that is Younge and Eglington.
The old timer who owns the place is actually quite a character and should entertain (or possibly antagonize) you depending on your personality. I actually think he's quite funny, but his attempts at witty and satirical anecdotes may be unappreciated by the average person because even with a grain of salt, he is, without a doubt, the most sarcastic man in Toronto. -
Review from David M.
Toronto, ON
3/14/2011
Why 5-stars? I can't find anything wrong with Vortex. I agree with everything Kat F. said, but offer one correction. They may have been in this location for over 20 years, but they've been in business for 30 or more. I can remember going to their downtown location (Dundas and Church?) in maybe 1982, and I think they had a different location even before that. Same owner too - Burt. THAT'S gotta be worth 5 stars!
Listed in: 5-star Reviews
