Over 40 Years of Music, Memories & Community

Since 1983, Cherry Records has been a part of Auburn’s music scene—and a destination for generations of music lovers from throughout the foothills, Sacramento region, and beyond.

Cherry Records was founded by Auburn native Al Lauer, who started the shop with just $500 and his personal collection of several thousand records. The name “Cherry Records” came from Al’s commitment to finding records in cherry condition—a philosophy that became part of the character of the store itself.

What began as a small shop grew into one of the region’s most enduring independent record stores. Over the years, Cherry Records moved through several Auburn locations before settling at its longtime home on Lincoln Way. Along the way, the inventory expanded beyond used vinyl to include new releases, CDs, cassettes, turntables, concert recordings, posters, books, and other pieces of music history.

A Store Built on Knowledge

Cherry Records has always been about more than simply buying and selling records.

Al was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of music, his ability to track down hard-to-find titles, and his genuine enthusiasm for helping customers find something they would love. The store became particularly known for its carefully organized selection, deep catalog of classic rock, country, oldies, blues, jazz and reggae, and its collection of unusual and obscure releases that could be difficult to find elsewhere.

That spirit helped turn Cherry Records into a destination—not only for longtime collectors, but also for younger generations discovering vinyl for the first time.

Over the decades, customers have traveled from throughout the region to browse the shelves, search for rare records, ask questions, discover new artists, and simply spend time surrounded by music.

Auburn's Home for Music

Cherry Records has been woven into Auburn's local culture for more than four decades.

The store has supported local music and youth music programs, participated in the wider record-collecting community, and become a familiar stop for music lovers visiting downtown Auburn. Cherry Records has also participated in Record Store Day, joining independent record stores around the country in celebrating the culture of physical music and independent music retail.

The store has received multiple People's Choice awards and has been featured numerous times in the Auburn Journal. Regional publications have also recognized Cherry Records as an important part of the Sacramento-area independent record-store community.

In a feature on Sacramento-area record stores, Sactown Magazine highlighted Cherry Records' remarkable longevity and described it as the longest continuously owned and operated record shop in the Sacramento region.

 

More Than a Record Store

Music has always extended beyond the walls of Cherry Records.

Al Lauer was also deeply involved in Northern California's radio and music community. He began working in radio in Auburn in the early 1980s and later spent two decades hosting his reggae program Reggae/Blues Tropical Storm on KVMR, followed by Duke's Place, his blues and funk program. He was honored with a KVMR Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the station and its music community.

His influence reached far beyond the shop itself. Musicians, DJs, collectors and generations of young music lovers passed through Cherry Records, with some former employees and customers going on to build careers of their own in music and radio. KVMR has specifically documented Al's mentorship of longtime reggae DJ Christopher “Redlocks” and his influence on Redlocks' musical path.

Continuing the Legacy

After Al's unexpected passing in April 2026, Cherry Records entered a new chapter—but the heart of the store remains the same.

For more than four decades, Cherry Records has represented something increasingly rare: an independent record store where music is personal, physical, social and deeply connected to the community.

The shelves hold more than records. They hold decades of memories—first albums, favorite artists, forgotten discoveries, rare finds, gifts, conversations and stories shared between generations of music lovers.

Cherry Records is proud to continue that tradition in Auburn, California.

Whether you're a lifelong collector, a first-time vinyl buyer, a music historian, or someone simply looking for something great to listen to, there's always another record waiting to be discovered.

Come dig through the crates. You never know what you'll find.