The best record stores intimidate. Walking through their doors means realizing that there’s all this music that you should know, that you really need to know—homegrown rockabilly, freakout jazz, Bill Monroe’s Decca years. To enter Joe’s Rockville store is to embrace the idea that you need some schooling. After an hour navigating its vinyl stacks, your arms are bound to get sore from carting some deep finds: Kitty Wells, ’80s go-go 12-inches, Captain Beefheart reissues, and never enough Lightnin’ Hopkins. And there are still miles of vinyl yet to explore. The place has enough reissues, dusty jukebox stuffers, and holy grails to keep you busy. Best of all, owner Joe Lee has serious knowledge and loves to talk.

—Jason Cherkis