Roots Records

A jewel of Columbus. Everything you would need in a Reggae music store. The people, owner, products, etc are amazing. Great hats also.

GREAT store!
Came here looking for tapes for my bro-​in-​law, as he just got a sweet 1989 Trans Am that still has the original tape deck. While waiting, I noticed they had a good selection of CD’s, maybe not in sheer numbers, but diverse in artists and styles. I was hedging on purchasing Del the Funky Homosapien, and decided against it because I was trying to save some money. The proprietor asked about it, I mentioned my thriftiness (just in conversation, not trying to make a deal), and he offered to take a couple bucks off! And threw in a free concert t-​shirt handed to him by Del himself!
Seeing the value, I jumped at the chance to sweeten the deal. My Wu-​Tang bootleg isn’t getting any younger, and has been skipping a lot. I asked if he’d throw that one in for another $ 10. Done!
He asked where the hot music places are up in Cleveland. I reluctantly told him that Downtown Records is now a steakhouse. He knew the store from the past, however. Guy knows his business.
I will absolutely be back, every time I am in Columbus. And hey… it’d been a while since I was down there. Your city is looking pretty sweet!

Amazing, an entire store full of reggae records (CDs and vinyl). What a treasure, Columbus! Staff (Josh) was very helpful and knowledgeable. I’ll be back soon.

Totally forgot about this place when they moved from there old digs at 5^th on High several years back. I realized a few months ago that they are still going strong at their new location a few blocks up High at King Ave.
The new location is smaller, but it seems like they have more stock than ever squeezed into the store all very neatly arranged and catalogued. The staff is still knowledgeable about the music they sell and if you give them a bit of information, they will find you a record or CD of something you might never have considered. This is how good record stores used to be, and how Roots still is. They focus on Reggae naturally, but also have a good selection of Afro Beat and Dub.
Now that’ I’ve broken the ice I can see coming down here regularly.