Found in a 19th-century greystone that's a rare find in itself among downtown Montreal’s sprawl, Cheap Thrills has been a cornerstone of the city’s music scene since 1971. This iconic record store on Metcalfe Street has resisted time, trends, and the digital takeover with over 10,000 titles spanning every genre—punk, jazz, metal, soul, experimental, and beyond.
Owner Gary Worsley, who started as an employee in 1999 before taking over in 2019, keeps the vibe old-school, describing the store as a “time warp.” While vinyl is its heart and soul, Cheap Thrills has moved with the times to stock CDs, books, and even the occasional oddity (think Laser Discs) to meet shifting tastes and appeal to people curious about analog ephemera. Whether it’s Elton John staples or rare avant-garde gems, the shop’s evolving inventory reflects the eclectic passions of the people guiding it forward.
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Montreal's best bookstores: Dig through a city of print
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