Empire Records is a cool, hip record store, run by Joe Reaves, and staffed by an eclectic group of teenagers. Joe dreams of owning the store, but one of the staff blows the day's takings in Atlantic City, and his down payment is gone. Between a signing by Rex Manning, a young singer preferred by Tom Jones fans, and an attempted shoplifting, it doesn't look like Joe can save the store from becoming part of a big chain.