Record Store Day started in 2007 as a way to highlight and support independent record shops, and it's still going strong. Still, it's morphed a bit during the past year or so, to allow for pandemic precautions like social distancing and masks when needed, becoming a series of record drops rather than a single blow-out event.

The last drop of 2021 happens this Saturday, July 17, when local record stores will be taking different approaches. Here’s a look at what to expect at record stores around metro Phoenix this time around, so you can prepare to snag your favorite vinyl offerings.

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Michael Bruce signing autographs at Asylum Records.

Jacob Tyler Dunn

Asylum Records

2990 North Alma School Road, #5, Chandler

Record Store Day Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Guitarist Michael Bruce, a member of the original Alice Cooper band formed in Phoenix during the mid-1960s, will be at Asylum Records from 9 a.m. to noon, where he’ll be signing autographs and posing for socially distant photos. Ari Lehman, the original Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th, will be there from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Grace Records

2200 East Williams Field Road, #112, Gilbert

Record Store Day Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Grace Records will be letting in small groups of people at one time, staggering entry to allow for social distancing. Like many stores, they have one copy per shopper limit on every Record Store Day title. Everything else in the store will be 10 percent off that day. Watch their Instagram feed for details about which titles they’ll have on hand.

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Dario Miranda (left) and Kimber Lanning enjoying a pre-pandemic Record Store Day at Stinkweeds.

Michelle Sasonov

Stinkweeds

12 West Camelback Road

Record Store Day Hours: Phones open 7 a.m.

Don’t show up at the shop, because Stinkweeds is once again doing its Record Store Day drop virtually. From 7 to 9 a.m., they’ll be taking phone orders from local customers, so have your list and your credit card ready when you call. Order then, and they’ll hold your paid order until you can pick it up at the store. If you’re one of the first people to call with your order, you might get a free goodie bag as well. They’ll start taking orders through their website starting at 10 a.m. for customers who need to have their items shipped.

The ‘In’ Groove

3420 East Thomas Road, Suite B

Record Store Day Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The ‘In’ Groove will do in-person Record Store Day sales for the first two hours, then add online shopping at 10 a.m. in order to give locals a first shot at RSD titles. Look for their livestream of the event on their YouTube page.

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Iconic midtown Phoenix record store Tracks in Wax.

Jacob Tyler Dunn

Tracks in Wax

4741 North Central Avenue

Record Store Day Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You can shop in person for Record Store Day offerings at Tracks in Wax, where some of the items from the June drop will be available as well.

Uncle Aldo’s Attic

6016 East McKellips Road, Mesa

Record Store Day Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Uncle Aldo’s Attic is doing 10 percent off music items in the store, other than Record Store Day titles, on Saturday. And you’ll also be able to snag some titles that they have left from last month’s drop.

Customers browsing at Zia Records on Mill Avenue in Tempe.

Jacob Tyler Dunn

Zia Records

Multiple Valley Locations

Record Store Day Hours: Opens 7 a.m.

Zia Records is doing a socially distant lineup for the 7 a.m. opening. Unsold Record Store Day items will go up online at 10 a.m. The store will let small numbers of customers into the store at staggered times. All their RSD items will be alphabetized, and there is a one per customer limit for each RSD item.