Colorado Shopping: Black and Read in Arvada, Colorado

For residents of the Denver/Metro area seeking out a store for all of their record and book loving needs without having to deal with the traffic of Downtown Denver, Black and Read (pronounced "red" as a play on words) is a unique shop located in Arvada, Colorado. This independently owned store specializes in books, music and other hobby items, such as card games and comics.

Black and Read occupies two store fronts on the Southwest corner of Wadsworth Boulevard and 80th Avenue. At first glance, the store is easily recognizable by its large variety of band posters in the windows, and its sign warning patrons to "use the other door." The right side of the store is reserved for music and related merchandise, such as stickers and band shirts, while the left side is where you will find books, comics, cards and just about everything else.

No matter what your music tastes or format preferences sway toward, Black and Read is likely to carry what you are looking for. Not only does the store offer CDs and vinyl, they still have cassette tapes on some occasions. Punk, ska, goth, rock, blues, folk and nearly every other genre you can think of are available, and Black and Read also offers special orders on the off chance they do not carry something. The store is fairly well organized, and the staff is knowledgeable if you need help. The music pricing at Black and Read is extremely competitive, with many of their CDs costing around $8.00 and vinyl records around $5.00-$10.00. The selection consists of both new and used music, as Black and Read buys and sells all of their inventory. Many rare, collectible records have also found their home in the store, so this is place is a must for serious vinyl enthusiasts.

The book selection at Black and Read is just as diverse as the music, as the store carries fiction and non fiction. Rare classics have found their way into the inventory alongside everything from Nora Roberts and Stephen King to Chuck Palahniuk and Jack Kerouac. Like their music pricing, their used books are priced very competitively, with many priced under half of their original retail value. DVDs and VHS tapes are also sold on the book side of the store, as well as card and board games. Navigating the book side of the store can be slightly frustrating at times, as the store seems to have almost too many items to choose from, but honestly, the cluttered shelves are one of the things that give Black and Read its distinct personality and atmosphere.

Black and Read is unique in the fact they are one of the few stores that will still pay cash for music, books and movies. Store credit is also available, and the payout rates at Black and Read are reasonably fair. For book buyers constantly looking to trade out their collection, this is an extremely valuable option that will allow you to feed your reading addiction without having to shell out some serious cash. For local high school students, look here before heading up to Barnes and Noble for your class assigned reading; chances are, they will have all of the books you need for a fraction of the price.

Black and Read
7821 Wadsworth Blvd.
Arvada, CO 80003
303.467.3236
blackandread.net
Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm