A new shop for music lovers, vinyl collectors is opening at Camp North End this fall

Heidi Finley
·2 min read

Soon, Camp North End fans will have a little more music in their lives — Hardy Boys Records is opening its first independent location at the adaptive reuse complex in October.

If you’re into records, then you might have seen this coming. Our recent CharlotteFive guide to independent record stores mentioned Camp North End was a possibility for Hardy Boys’ newest location.

“We’ve always dreamt of having our own dedicated store, where music enthusiasts can gather, peruse, share stories and just enjoy each other’s company,” Hardy Boys Records owner Dean Hardy said. “Our family has been coming to Camp North End for a long time, and we’re convinced that the dynamic atmosphere here, where people simply want to spend time, makes it the perfect place for us to plant permanent roots in the community.”

Hardy and his wife, Tiffany, started off their retail ventures in 2018, with a yard sign indicating Hardy’s enthusiasm for buying and selling records. Sales on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace grew into garage sales and pop-up events before the business moved into Homestyles boutique in Mint Hill. A second shop later opened inside The Brass Grasshopper Matthews, and Hardy’s sons Caspian and Thaddeus have joined in on the day-to-day operations.

Hardy Boys Records will have grown from a home business to three locations when its new Camp North End flagship store opens this fall.
Hardy Boys Records will have grown from a home business to three locations when its new Camp North End flagship store opens this fall.

At Camp North End, a 1,283-square-foot store in the Quonset Hut next to Stay Inn market will become Hardy Boys’ flagship location. It will carry a mix of new and vintage records, along with used comics, cassette tapes and CDs. Hardy Boys merchandise will be on hand, too.

The Keswick District space — filled with lounge seating and greenery — will feature a “spin station” with a turntable, and guests will be encouraged to bring vinyls they’re interested in selling. Programming for local artists there is in the works, as well.

Hardy Boys will be open Wednesday-Sunday, with hours varying from a noon or 1 p.m. opening to closing at 6 or 7 p.m.

“Hardy Boys Records will be a haven for local musical enthusiasts and artists, adding an exciting new dimension to the cultural landscape of Camp North End,” Tommy Mann, Development Director of Camp North End, said in a statement.

Hardy Boys Records is opening a new flagship shop at Camp North End in October.
Hardy Boys Records is opening a new flagship shop at Camp North End in October.

Hardy Boys Records and Comics

Location: Camp North End, 701 Keswick Ave, Suite 106, Charlotte NC 27206 (opening October 2023)

Location: Inside Homestyles Mint Hill, 11237 Lawyers Rd STE 201, Mint Hill, NC

Location: Inside The Brass Grasshopper Matthews, 1325 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Matthews, NC

Instagram: @hardyboysrecords