Topic: Record Shop/Barber/Shoe Shop/Garden Centre/Greggs

I was up in Dublin there recently. Had a look into a couple of the ever dwindling number of record shops that survive in the Irish capital.

I first went into one I've frequented since my teenage years. Constant as the North Star the place hasn't changed for near fifteen years. One or two worthwhile records dotted here and there but lots of general stuff. Traded in some record. Got some sighs, got some "I'm doing you a massive favour here, got a bad price, got a drink.

Went down to All City Dublin for a look aswell. Got a friendly welcome and had a look at what they had.
http://bitchslapmag.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/DSC_0148.jpg
The shop occupies a space that has been a record store on and off for years, and one which has swapped hands many times. But All City has been open for a decent time and looks to be doing well. They'd an excellent range of stuff, near all I'd want really and I'd definitely use it if I lived there.
Anyway, it's a store that's always diversified. It's a record label, it's a t-shirt store, it sells spray paint.
Now it looks to have diversified again. Down by the turntables there sits two large mirrors, two large chairs, two thin men.
The back of the store, where you can see records in the pic, is now...a barbers.

Record stores have always occupied sidelong spaces and unwanted units, the sharing of space is nothing new either; but I'd never seen a record shop with so many other things goin on before. I can imagine this kind of utilisation happens in a lots of cities, especially the likes of NY or London where rates are astronomical.
I also know record stores, despite all the talk of vinyl sales, are struggling.
Personally I'm not adverse to the idea and think it's a clever survival tactic, but I know there will be people out there who would be immediately put off by such ultra cross-pollination.

The final dilution or a clever solution?

"Hey Sweden."
"They're Norwegian Mac."
http://weforfeit.blogspot.com.es/

Re: Record Shop/Barber/Shoe Shop/Garden Centre/Greggs

Volcanic Tongue, http://www.volcanictongue.com/ small independent, dealing with experimental stuff...   closed it's physical shop just the other day here in Glasgow, going back to it's roots of online only.

The only reason Rubadub continues to survive is because of the distribution side of its business and the sales of dj' gear/synth/etc.

I don't see business could make the rent selling only records, ...people just prefer to purchase online these days.


Or you could always diversify like dope Jams in NY, selling magic sticks for $45

http://dopejams.net/wands/wand-pagan-tulipwood/

Let's get Dumb

3 (edited by Zubeldia 2014-08-22 13:16:42)

Re: Record Shop/Barber/Shoe Shop/Garden Centre/Greggs

DumbBot wrote:

The only reason Rubadub continues to survive is because of the distribution side of its business

exactly the same with Clone and Rush Hour over here. their physical shops are like a broomcloset, very small (both literally as selection-wise).

in the (record/smart) shop i work at, it's always been the other way around. started as a pure smartshop, few years later (late '90s), we got involved in dj vinyl too. purely out of passion for the music..
was good business till 2007, 2008.. then the proper decline in vinyl sales started to set in. now there's only a small amount of records left in 1 out of 3 shops. boss wants to stop selling vinyl as a whole (financially a wise decision), and clear the room for a nice selection of high-end vapourizers.

it's the only way to go for pure vinyl shops.. you're not going to survive without a broader selection of 'stuff' to pull people into your shop. a barber is pushing it a bit though..

4 (edited by cebteq 2014-08-22 19:56:09)

Re: Record Shop/Barber/Shoe Shop/Garden Centre/Greggs

in my town its a great time to be a small business entrepreneur  golden age actually.  people have a little more money to spend on luxuries like records  so we have a lotta new, pretty decent record stores opening up.   these are always niche markets tho and im sure profits are razor thin.   but still you can make a living off it if you adapt, which often means selling vaporizers  or comic books, too!

edit:  actually now that i think about it we have one of those salon/ record stores too and i found "duncan sisters - boys will be boys" there for like 5 bucks.. didnt buy it tho tongue

Re: Record Shop/Barber/Shoe Shop/Garden Centre/Greggs

Ta da!
http://www.stereogum.com/1707425/urban- … inyl/news/
http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicb … t-stockist
http://cdn.stereogum.com/files/2014/09/urban-vinyl.png