Explore Baltimore: Celebrated Summer Records

April 17th, 2026 by Allison Shulman

This week on Explore Baltimore, we visited Celebrated Summer Records, a record shop located in Hampden that has been part of the Baltimore music community for 20 years. The store has been open in its current Hampden location on Falls Road for 16 years, but was previously located in Towson.

Owner Tony previously worked at Reptilian Records, and when it closed, he was inspired to open his own shop and continue to share his love of music. The store is named after the song Celebrated Summer, reflecting that same personal connection to music’s influence. Celebrated Summer Records is meant to be a no-judgement space where customers can explore music freely without feeling pressured or intimidated. The shop has something for everyone, with jazz, indie, local artists and much more.

In recent years, Tony has also noticed a shift in the shop’s customer base, with more younger listeners becoming interested in vinyl. This reflects the broader resurgence of records and the way new generations continue to engage with physical music media.

Beyond its record selection, the shop features walls filled with band posters, a variety of merchandise including a cassette vending machine, and a listening booth where visitors can play records before purchasing. All of this builds the distinct personality and welcoming atmosphere of the shop.

Celebrated Summer Records will also be participating in Record Store Day on April 18, featuring a special collaboration with Snail Mail, who will appear as a guest employee during the day. At 11 a.m., the limited-edition Snail Mail x Celebrated Summer Records vinyl will be available in store!