So This Really Is The End....


Hi All,

Just thought I'd take a minute to share. Since 1976, I've been a customer of a  record store in the University of Cincinnati area called Mole's Records. The store has been in existence for over forty five years. Tonight I've just come home from the party celebrating its final day. I'm sure the party is still happening but I decided to exit, as a flood of memories leaves me with the need to pause and reflect. Whenever I would catch a show at a small venue called Bogarts (Todd Rundgren, Butthole Surfers, Warren Zevon, etc...) I'd first stop in and B.S. with the owner. As a teenager, I never really had any money so I wasn't buying records or CD's until the mid 1980's but that was all -right by the owner and I know I was just one of many who would do the same thing. The store was small but they had a good distributor and I could buy boutique audiophile CD's and vinyl like; Audio Fidelity, MOFI, Analogue Productions, record store day releases, and used originals. If they didn't have it, then I could typically place an order and get it within a couple of weeks. My last purchase was the Analogue Productions Hybrid SACD of Steely Dan's 'Two Against Nature'. Great sounding mix by the way! Of course, we still have record stores in this relatively small mid-western town but Mole's was the oldest store still in existence. And I have to honestly say, I'm not exactly sure how these other record stores can financially make a go of it. I'm now at a place where I'm totally relying on  downloads, internet orders and Qobuz. Anyway, just feeling sentimental so thanks!

 

128x128goofyfoot

Nice eulogy for your local record store. I'm surprised they make any money these days too, apart from the rare/collector's market and that's not stuff you typically find in the local record store. 

 

The times they are a changing.   Someone should write a song about that. 

No store can make a living on just records they have to be diversified unless you are world wide and specialize in collector Albums worth $$ 

I'm totally relying on  downloads, internet orders and Qobuz. Anyway, just feeling "sentimental so thanks!"

Part of what we lose is the social interaction and that 'in store' experience.  I think that is part of why you are feeling a sense of loss.  Sure, we can get the same product with a mouse click or a box on our door step, but we don't get the fun of chatting it up with the owner or the other customers, getting those in person referral to new bands, or even that record store smell.  Some people never probably liked the interaction or wanted any interaction (or the store owner dreaded when they would show up), but I hear what you are saying.  Advances in technology, or more efficient business structures have their downsides.