Downtown Modesto record shop moves its music to Roseburg Square
When you walk into Roseburg Square’s newest retail shop, you may not be able to immediately point out who’s in charge.
That is by design, Broken Records owner Shavin Jit said, because “it’s more about the records.” But aside from one other employee who usually works once weekly, Jit is the one running the show.
The 29-year-old Modesto native’s love of music inspired him to open a record store in downtown Modesto in October 2023. The around 400-square-foot unit at 1321 I St. was leased by Jit’s wife, Kianna, for her waxing studio for less than a year before she moved into a bigger space.
“It just sat empty because I was stuck in a lease,” Kianna Jit said. “And then (Shavin said he) wanted to open up a record store. I was like, ‘Well, you have I Street.”
After staying there nearly two years, an unmissable opportunity landed his store in Roseburg Square — in a space around double the size, and with more foot traffic.
The move didn’t take long, as the unit near Yogurt Mill was turnkey. Broken Records was out of the downtown space Saturday, Aug. 16, and open for business at 807 Roseburg Ave., Suite F, the following Friday.
“(Laughing Crow) told me about the spot and I was like, ‘I really gotta jump on the opportunity. If not, I’m going to regret it,’” Shavin Jit said.
Broken Records sells both new and used records. It also sells cassettes, DVDs, CDs, cleaning kits and posters.
“Every now and then,” Jit said, he will have a record player for sale. But he can always special order them for customers.
When it comes to music style, Jit said he has “a little bit of everything.”
“I try to carry uncommon hip-hop, well-known hip-hop, ’90s hip-hop, ’80s hip-hop,” he said. “Another top seller I carry is classic rock, metal, nu metal. Also anything really popular right now.”
Jit also hopes to expand his local-artists section now that he has more room.
There is a listening station where customers can test, or just enjoy, how used records sound. There is a room Jit currently uses as storage but where he plans to expand the listening station and add more record players for use.
“(Some of these vinyl records) are 40 to 50 years old and they’re gonna have scratches on them,” Jit said. “But some people actually like that, when you play a classic rock record and hear a crackle.”
The store accepts trade-ins for cash or store credit. On Fridays, Jit posts new arrivals on the Broken Records Instagram page.
Jit doesn’t promote himself as the owner of the store because he doesn’t want a gap between worker and customer. He wants customers to have a personalized, relaxed experience when visiting.
“When a person comes in, I can have a whole conversation with them,” he said. “I want people to take their time here, take pictures of everything and enjoy, rather than going to a store and expect them to buy something.”
Broken Records is open Mondays from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 7:49 AM.
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