Everyone in the local record-selling business seems to agree on two things: Record Store Day rocks, and this year's hottest exclusive item should be the vinyl edition of the Hold Steady's new album. Beyond that, the Twin Cities' resilient indie music retailers have different approaches to what has turned into the biggest shopping day of the year for many record shops nationwide.

Happening again Saturday, Record Store Day was spawned three years ago by an Atlanta shop owner as a way of promoting indie stores' continued value in the age of iTunes. The idea has caught on, as bands and record labels pitched in by offering up a catalog full of limited-release 7-inches, vinyl editions and other items available exclusively for the special day.

The limited vinyl edition of the Hold Steady's new album, "Heaven Is Whenever," precedes the official release date by three weeks. Other exclusive RSD items are coming from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Devo, Phoenix, the Black Keys, Drive-by Truckers, Mastodon, Godsmack and our own Owl City.

Last year "there was a line outside the door when I got here, and I was the only one scheduled to work," Treehouse Records' Dan Cote recalled with a wince. "This year, we're opening an hour or two earlier, and there'll be three of us here."

Most stores will open early Saturday, and some are even offering free breakfast food for the early risers (including the Electric Fetus and Extreme Noise). Most of the participants are also throwing storewide sales and beefing up their stock for the big day. Some shops are hosting free in-store performances and holding contests.

Perhaps the biggest preparations are happening over at Hymie's Records. Saturday will be the cultish store's last day in the funky two-story building at 3318 E. Lake St., its location for 23 years. Dave and Laura Hoenack, who bought the store last year, said the site has become unworkable, with water leakage a constant problem. The store already has a new location just a few blocks away at 3820 E. Lake St. The new site sits right next to the Blue Moon Coffee shop and offers about 25 percent more space. "Record Store Day seemed like a good day to officially go out with the old, in with the new," David Hoenack said.

Saturday might be the day local music fans discover Dusty Pixels, which opened in August in the old CD Warehouse space in Uptown, 2443 Hennepin Av. S. The store features used CDs, vinyl and vintage video games.

Solid Gold will throw its star power behind the Fetus by playing an after-hours party with Idle Hands at Nick & Eddie, tickets for which will be given out to the first 200 people who spend $15 or more at the store. Martin Devaney is expected at two different shops, Hymie's and Eclipse Records (singing at the former and DJ-ing at the latter).

"It's still a very volatile market, so anything that can be done on behalf of independent record stores is a good thing," said Eclipse co-owner Joe Furth. "This really is a great thing for us."

Record Store Day performances

Fifth Element

• Eyedea, Dessa, I.B.E., Prof & Rahzwell, DJ King Otto, more (11 a.m.-8 p.m.)

Eclipse Records

• Red Daughters, DJ sets by members of Heiruspecs, Total Babe, more (11 a.m.-11 p.m.)

Electric Fetus

• Dr. Dog (1 p.m.), Paul Cebar (4:30 p.m.), plus Solid Gold and Idle Hands at Nick & Eddie's (10 p.m.)

Hymie's

• Buffalo Moon (11 a.m.), Martin Devaney (3 p.m.), TC Ukulele Orchestra (4), Jezebel Jones & Her Wicked Ways (6:15), more, 3318 E. Lake St., Mpls.