Vinylarchief in Nijmegen is a paradise for record enthusiasts.

Owners Rob Berbee and Elly Alderden run the largest vinyl collection in the Netherlands: 40,000 LPs in the shop, plus another 70,000 records at home. Their store began as a hobby that got out of hand; “We simply can’t leave beautiful records behind.”

The shop offers everything: second-hand, new releases, from jazz to metal, curiosities like fairground organ records, and collector’s items such as Rita Reys or Gerard Reve. In the one-euro bins you’ll find surprises, while rare LPs can fetch hundreds of euros.

Rob spends his days hunting for records, at fairs and attics, always chasing that next thrill. The true gems are mostly found online or at record fairs these days; twenty years ago people were tossing their vinyl collections out.

Yet vinyl is very much alive. More and more young people buy records—to play at parties, or simply because it’s more tangible than downloads. Many regret having traded their LPs for CDs and are now buying them back. Collectors come here for rarities, from Pink Floyd to obscure sleeves with chess pieces.

Customers travel from all over the Netherlands and beyond; Eastern Europeans and Japanese even make detours. Meanwhile, Rob enjoys the hunt while Elly keeps the shop running. Vinyl doesn’t perish—and neither does Vinylarchief.