ARE YOU READY FOR RECORD STORE DAY 2025?

The secret to a great Record Store Day isn’t just the exclusive releases — it’s where you spend it. And there’s no better place to drop the needle than Val’s halla Records in Oak Park. This iconic shop has been a vinyl lover’s sanctuary for generations — and for good reason.

From its legendary connection to John Prine, to the quirky Elvis shrine tucked inside, Val’s is more than just a record store — it’s a cultural landmark. Sure, Record Store Day might be what brings you through the door, but once you’re in, ask Shayne or Trevor about any album on the shelf — you’ll walk away with a story, a recommendation, and probably a new favorite artist.

But how did it all begin? Pull up a chair — it’s a good one.

Val’s halla was born on July 26, 1972, just a week after the record chain Val Camilletti managed shut down. Instead of calling it quits, Val leased the same South Blvd location in Oak Park where she’d worked since 1967. With the help of passionate former employees, they brought a dream to life — and the legend of Val’s began.

For the next 40+ years, Val and her loyal crew rode the waves of the ever-changing music industry — from the peak of vinyl, through the CD boom, and the turbulence of the Napster era. No matter what was happening in the world of music, Val’s remained a hub for discovery, nostalgia, and community.

In the late ’90s, a teenager named Shayne Blakeley moved from Michigan to Chicago and started working at Val’s right out of high school. Quickly, he became Val’s right hand — helping steer the store into a new era when the business faced challenges in the early 2000s.

When re-development forced them to move, they found a new home in Oak Park’s Arts District at 239 Harrison Street, surrounded by fellow creatives and small businesses. From 2006 to 2018, Val and Shayne ran the store side by side, continuing to cultivate a space that felt like home for music lovers of all kinds.

In 2016, Val was diagnosed with breast cancer and sadly passed away in July 2018. But Shayne carried on, keeping the spirit of Val’s alive — even when it seemed impossible. By late 2019, as rumors of the store’s closure swirled, a local business partner stepped in, helping Shayne restructure and reimagine the store for the future.

And today? Val’s halla is alive and well. The music plays on. The legacy endures.

So this Record Store Day, make it count. Celebrate at a place where music isn’t just sold — it’s lived. You might come for the exclusives, but you’ll stay for the soul.

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