I discovered The Searchers one morning circa 2008 while loitering near the corner of Smith and Gertrude waiting for a cheese and tomato toasty from Dr Java. Having only recently opened, the shop contained just a few shelves of secondhand books and some bins of used records. A noncommittal browse yielded instant results (a Supermax LP from memory) so I kept coming back.

In the intervening years proprietor Damien has developed The Searchers into a solidly stocked secondhand dealer.  While the books outnumber the records these days, the selection of secondhand vinyl and CDs is well curated and accurately priced – unlike some other Smith Street dealers I could mention.

The Searchers is also a genius example of DIY shopfitting – Damien constructed all the shelving and racking himself, complete with rolling library ladder for those top-shelf items.

93 Smith Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065. Tel: (03) 9939 0096