12 Tennessee Comic Book Shops, Record Stores And Bookstores That Are Worth Going Out Of Your Way For

One Tennessee bookstore sits inside a building finished around 1808, and it once served as a hospital after a Civil War battle. Today it holds more than 2,000 signed first editions.

I had to read that twice.

That’s the kind of detail that makes me want to grab my keys. Another shop on this list is owned by a best-selling novelist.

A Memphis record store runs a September music festival that has drawn fans from around the world since 2005.

Comic shops get their moment too. Some stack back issues by the box, while one grew from a single suite into an entire plaza of games, toys, and comics.

Others mix new releases with role-playing gear and collectibles.

I think the best stores are the ones you leave with something you didn’t plan to buy. Which one would get your weekend, and how much room is in your trunk?

1. Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN

When a famous novelist owns the bookstore, you can bet the shelves get some serious attention. Ann Patchett co-founded Parnassus in 2011 and became its sole owner in 2022.

Here’s a fun perk for fans of her novels. Copies of her books bought at the store come signed, and you can ask for a personalized one.

The shop sits in Nashville’s Green Hills neighborhood, inside a shopping center on Hillsboro Pike. Inside, you’ll find a carefully chosen mix of fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, arts titles, and local interest picks.

Local writers get real shelf space here. The store keeps a large section devoted to authors with Tennessee ties, which makes it a smart stop for unique gifts.

Author events are a big deal at Parnassus. The store hosts hundreds of readings, book launches, and book club meetings throughout the year.

Love surprises in the mail? The store runs subscription clubs, including the First Editions Club, so the fun can follow you home.

Keep an eye out for four-legged staff members too. Shop dogs make regular appearances, and they tend to steal the spotlight from the bestsellers.

Parking is free, with a garage, a lot, and street spots nearby. Saturdays get busy, so a weekday visit may give you more elbow room.

Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike #14, Nashville, TN 37215

2. Grimey’s New & Preloved Music, Nashville, TN

Music City needs a record store that can keep up, and Grimey’s has been answering that call since 2000. It’s often named among the best record shops in the country.

The store has moved over the years, landing in a converted church building on East Trinity Lane. Talk about giving vinyl a little reverence.

Start with the outside, because the walls are covered in murals. They make a great backdrop for a quick photo before you start digging.

Inside, you can flip through new and preloved vinyl, plus CDs and cassette tapes. The genres run wide, so country fans and punk fans can shop side by side.

Grimey’s also hosts live performances, album release parties, and artist signings. Many of these events are free and open to all ages.

Record Store Day is a major event here. The shop takes part each year and often stocks plenty of copies of limited releases.

Don’t skip the back of the property either. A large vintage clothing shop sits out back, so your outfit can match your new album.

The store is listed as good for kids, which makes it an easy family stop. Free parking is available in a lot and on the street.

Address: 1060 E Trinity Ln, Nashville, TN 37216

3. 901 Comics, Memphis, TN

Named after the Memphis area code, 901 Comics wears its hometown pride right on the sign. The shop sits on Young Avenue in the city’s Cooper-Young area.

This is a traditional comic shop, and that’s meant as a compliment. Expect a massive selection of new comics and back issues.

Back-issue hunters, this one is for you. Boxes of older books give you a shot at finding that missing issue in your run.

Used graphic novels are another strong reason to stop in. Buying used is a budget-friendly way to try a new series without a big commitment.

Wednesdays are the busiest stretch here, which makes sense for a comic shop. That’s traditionally the day new issues hit the shelves.

Prefer quiet browsing? Monday and Tuesday tend to be calmer, and Friday mornings are usually slower too.

Late shoppers get a nice break on Thursday through Saturday. The shop stays open until 9 PM on those nights.

Here’s a bonus for music fans. Goner Records sits just a few doors down, so you can grab comics and records in one easy trip.

Address: 2162 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

4. Goner Records, Memphis, TN

Few record shops can say they’re also a record label and a festival headquarters. Goner Records pulls off that triple act from a small storefront in Memphis.

The label came first, starting in 1993. Early releases included Tokyo’s Guitar Wolf and Memphis bands like The Oblivians and Reatards.

The shop opened in 2004 on Young Avenue. It took over the former home of Legba Records, so the address already had musical roots.

Crate diggers, prepare to lose track of time. Goner stocks new and used LPs and 45s with a focus on punk, garage rock, post-punk, and synth-driven sounds.

Hard-to-find records are a big part of the appeal. You’ll also spot band merch if you want to show off your new favorite group.

Then there’s the Elvis Impersonator Shrine. It’s exactly the kind of oddball touch you’d hope for in Memphis.

Goner Records launched Gonerfest in 2005, and the festival has since become a major annual September event in Memphis. The four-day festival brings bands and fans to the city from around the world.

Address: 2152 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

5. Burke’s Book Store, Memphis, TN

Founded in 1875, Burke’s has been selling books in Memphis for well over a century. That’s older than the telephone being in most homes.

Picture how many stories have passed across its counters since then. Okay, that’s a guess, but the number has to be huge.

The store is known for an unusual stock of new, used, and rare books. That mix makes it a fun place for curious readers and serious collectors alike.

Love the thrill of a lucky find? Used and rare shelves reward slow browsing, so give yourself some extra time.

New releases share the space too, so you’re not limited to older titles. You can grab the latest novel and a vintage treasure in one trip.

Burke’s sits on Cooper Street in Midtown Memphis. It’s a short hop from Young Avenue, where you’ll find 901 Comics and Goner Records.

Planning a whole Memphis book-and-music day? Those three stops make a tidy little loop for an afternoon.

Weekday visits tend to be quieter, while Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Friday and Saturday hours run until 9 PM, and parking is free.

Address: 936 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104

6. Nirvana Comics Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

First tip: head around back. Nirvana Comics hides its entrance behind the building on Kingston Pike, so treat the search like a mini side quest.

Once you find the door, the reward is a big selection of new issues. Graphic novels fill the shelves too, so binge readers have plenty of options.

Need a pull list? The store offers in-store pickup, which makes it easier to keep up with your monthly titles.

New readers are a good fit here too. A shop with a broad mix of single issues and collected editions gives you lots of easy starting points.

Saturday afternoon is the busiest time to visit. Tuesdays are the calmest, if you want to browse at your own pace.

Sunday hours are shorter, ending at 4 PM. Plan around that if your Knoxville weekend runs tight.

Address: Around Back, 6709 Kingston Pike B, Knoxville, TN 37919

7. Lost and Found Records, Knoxville, TN

With a name like Lost and Found, this store practically promises you’ll track down something you’ve been missing. Maybe it’s an album, maybe it’s a new favorite band.

The shop sits on North Broadway in Knoxville. It carries an extensive selection of new and used vinyl.

CDs and tapes get their own space too. That’s good news if your car still has a CD player or you love the crunch of a cassette.

Used records are a big draw for bargain hunters. Flipping through secondhand bins is half the fun of any record trip.

New releases help balance things out. You can pick up a fresh pressing and a well-loved classic during the same visit.

Bringing the kids along? The store is listed as good for children, so a family music outing works here.

Hours run until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. That leaves room for an evening stop after dinner in Knoxville.

Sunday hours start later, at 1 PM. It’s an easy add to a lazy weekend, especially if you’re already exploring other Tennessee record shops.

Address: 3710 N Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917

8. Infinity Flux, Chattanooga, TN

Most shops grow by adding a shelf or two. Infinity Flux started in one suite in 2014 and expanded until it filled an entire plaza.

It’s now Chattanooga’s largest locally owned comic, toy, and game store. That’s a lot of ground to cover, so wear comfy shoes.

Comics fans get new releases and graphic novels from major publishers. Collectible comics and back issues round out the reading side.

Gamers have plenty to explore too. Trading card games, tabletop games, and role-playing games all have a place here.

The fantasy and RPG room includes a giant tree art piece. It’s the kind of decor that makes a dice purchase feel like an adventure.

Nostalgia lovers, brace yourselves. You’ll find vintage action figures, retro video games, vinyl records, VHS tapes, and DVDs.

Staff can help you pick out gifts or game night supplies. That’s handy if you’re shopping for someone whose hobbies you don’t fully understand.

Saturday afternoon is the busiest time. Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons are calmer, and free on-site parking makes the stop easy.

Address: 3643 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37415

9. The Book & Cover, Chattanooga, TN

Books and coffee have always made a great team, and The Book & Cover puts them under one roof. You can pick a novel and a pastry in the same visit.

The shop is an independent bookstore on Hanover Street in Chattanooga. Its shelves hold a curated selection, which means someone picked those titles on purpose.

Curated stores are great when you feel stuck. A smaller, thoughtful mix can point you toward a book you’d never find scrolling online.

The coffee bar serves drinks and pastries. It’s a solid excuse to read the first chapter before you even leave.

Need to catch up on email? Free Wi-Fi is available, so this can double as a work stop.

A gender-neutral restroom is on site too. Small touches like that make a longer stay more comfortable.

Mornings start early here, with doors opening at 9 AM Monday through Saturday. The store is closed on Sundays, so plan your Chattanooga trip with that in mind.

Saturday mornings get busy. Weekday visits are usually quieter if you want a calm seat and a steady page count.

Address: 1310 Hanover St, Chattanooga, TN 37405

10. Landmark Booksellers | Franklin, Tennessee, Franklin, TN

Some bookstores have history books, but this one lives inside history. The building, called the Old Factory Store, went up between 1806 and 1808.

It’s the oldest commercial building still standing in historic Franklin. Over the years it has served as a bank, a cotton mill store, and a Civil War hospital after the 1864 Battle of Franklin.

Joel and Carol Tomlin opened the bookstore here in July 2005. Today it holds roughly 35,000 titles.

The shelves mix new, pre-owned, rare, and antiquarian books. More than 2,000 of them are signed first editions.

Specialties include Southern Americana and Tennessee and Civil War history. Literary first editions are another big focus for collectors.

Don’t miss The Great Wall. It displays about 200 acclaimed books shelved in chronological order, like a reading timeline.

Author signings happen most weekends. The store also runs in-person book clubs and monthly book subscriptions.

Hours run from 9 AM to 7 PM daily, which is generous for a downtown shop. Pair your visit with a stroll down Main Street for a full Franklin afternoon.

Address: 114 E Main St, Franklin, TN 37064

11. Crying Cat Books and Records, Murfreesboro, TN

Can’t decide between a book and a record? Crying Cat Books and Records in Murfreesboro lets you skip that tough choice entirely.

The shop combines an independent bookstore with a record store. Shelves of curated books share space with vinyl.

Local art is part of the mix too. That makes the shop a nice place to discover regional artists along with your next read.

A curated selection means the stock is chosen with care. You’re more likely to stumble on something unexpected than another copy of the usual bestsellers.

Doors open at noon each day. Weekday hours run until 7 PM, with Sundays wrapping up at 5 PM.

Weekend afternoons are the busiest times. If you’d like quieter browsing, Monday or Thursday evenings are usually calmer.

Murfreesboro sits just southeast of Nashville, so this is an easy Middle Tennessee detour. Bring a tote bag, because books and records add up fast.

Address: 504 N Maney Ave, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

12. Rick’s Comic City Clarksville, Clarksville, TN

Rick’s Comic City got its start in 2000 in a Nashville store that measured just 250 square feet. That’s barely bigger than a large bedroom.

The business kept growing, and in 2015 it opened this second location in Clarksville. Now comic fans near Fort Campbell and the Kentucky line have a closer option.

This shop is known for being well organized. Finding your favorite series shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt, and here it usually doesn’t.

New comics are the heart of the business. Rick’s carries plenty of new releases, trade paperbacks, and hardcover collections from Marvel, DC, Image, and Dark Horse.

Back issues are part of the stock as well. Most come from the last decade, with older Silver and Golden Age books showing up now and then.

Collectors can browse action figures, statues, and Funko POPs. Posters and comic supplies like bags and boards are available too.

Hours run until 8 PM from Wednesday through Saturday. Monday mornings are usually the calmest time to shop.

Sundays open at 10 AM, which is early for a comic shop. It’s a fitting final stop on any Tennessee road trip packed with books, records, and capes.

Address: 1923 Madison St, Clarksville, TN 37043