So were the '70s.
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Are there any dedicated Record Stores left in the US...
- Thread starter dontpanicbobby
- Start date
Classical
80s also Classical. I'm only planning on 3 floors folks. It's a Beantown tradition. Beethovon and Poison on the same floor.
Right. That's so going to be a poster in my store.
Aren't there other give you money for idea sites? Art costs.
Aren't there other give you money for idea sites? Art costs.
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basic 101 user
Android Enthusiast
Am starting to see where you are headed with your idea; And where my suggestions don't square with your vision, are no damn help to you.
Who knows, if I keep talking long enough, one idea in a thousand might actually help OP.
Word of mouth, ongoing interest, a broad range of customer types, all flocking to your record store.
I'm not sure I should be the one to ping her, but Kaat must certainly have some thoughts on what would appeal, what she would like to see in your shop.
Who knows, if I keep talking long enough, one idea in a thousand might actually help OP.
I misappropriated the term "program block" from radio, but didn't mean it in that sense of the word, no FCC involved. My sense is that the store can't survive if just a fixed form thing, trying to appeal to all people, at all times. And I would imagine you're trying to make it the hot place to be, a destination, the talk of the town. Not exactly velvet ropes at the door, and people lined up for blocks to get in.....But how could a little of that hurt?
Obviously, the primary objective is to set up a record store. But in order to survive, and draw in a broad base of clientele, I envision something much more varied, (and frankly labor intensive), but possibly enjoyable to the owner. Part nightclub, part 50's dance hall, part"step right up and be the DJ for an hour", etc, etc.
You can't do all of those things, all of the time; So you do some of those things, some of the time.
You have "the store" pretty much exactly as you dream it, existing in that configuration during nearly all business hours. But during certain windows of time, on a predictable schedule, (but always subject to change), "the store" transforms for a few hours into a Jazz club, to keep Lunatic 59 and his friends coming back, eager to tell their friends, and wondering what you might try next month. Shove all those display cases into the corner, put out a half dozen tables and lounge chairs, and let them dig it, for those two hours of the program block on a Wednesday night. Scotch, cigars, and Charlie Parker.
I'm guessing the same people won't be showing up for "Heavy metal karaoke Thursdays", but if everyone has fun on their target night, they might look a little harder at other nights (or days) on the calendar, mention some of the other cool things going on there.
And it needn't be something that transforms the entire store for that time period. Twice a week the Kiddie Corner" gets set up while regular business is ongoing. All the cool parents have figured out you know your stuff, they bring in little Jimmy and Janie to be entertained, educated, in a safe environment. "Gee, Jimmy, if you like that, you should try this......It was a big hit when your parents were about your age, you should definitely hear this.
Get to them early, customer for life.
In truth, I have no real interest in spending much time in any of the places I have described. And I can think of 1,000 business complications with my fantasy. While I am perhaps the least gregarious person you will ever meet, I sometimes relish the idea of being the tophat and tails wearin' ringleader of the big 'ol circus, entertaining all my crazy friends, with the show that never ends.
The carnival barker, peddling cheap thrills.
It could be fun, and might actually be the revenue generating arm of the business that supplements the thing you are really trying to achieve.
Profit margins on records may be low. Profit margins on the accessories could be much higher. The T-shirts with your logo on them, the Rolling Stones mousepad impulse buy, and certainly the booze. During (certain windows of time in the program block), the scotch is what brings in the revenue, loosens a guy up enough to buy an expensive cigar marked up 4X retail. And maybe even a "Tubes" refrigerator magnet.
Obviously, the primary objective is to set up a record store. But in order to survive, and draw in a broad base of clientele, I envision something much more varied, (and frankly labor intensive), but possibly enjoyable to the owner. Part nightclub, part 50's dance hall, part"step right up and be the DJ for an hour", etc, etc.
You can't do all of those things, all of the time; So you do some of those things, some of the time.
You have "the store" pretty much exactly as you dream it, existing in that configuration during nearly all business hours. But during certain windows of time, on a predictable schedule, (but always subject to change), "the store" transforms for a few hours into a Jazz club, to keep Lunatic 59 and his friends coming back, eager to tell their friends, and wondering what you might try next month. Shove all those display cases into the corner, put out a half dozen tables and lounge chairs, and let them dig it, for those two hours of the program block on a Wednesday night. Scotch, cigars, and Charlie Parker.
I'm guessing the same people won't be showing up for "Heavy metal karaoke Thursdays", but if everyone has fun on their target night, they might look a little harder at other nights (or days) on the calendar, mention some of the other cool things going on there.
And it needn't be something that transforms the entire store for that time period. Twice a week the Kiddie Corner" gets set up while regular business is ongoing. All the cool parents have figured out you know your stuff, they bring in little Jimmy and Janie to be entertained, educated, in a safe environment. "Gee, Jimmy, if you like that, you should try this......It was a big hit when your parents were about your age, you should definitely hear this.
Get to them early, customer for life.
In truth, I have no real interest in spending much time in any of the places I have described. And I can think of 1,000 business complications with my fantasy. While I am perhaps the least gregarious person you will ever meet, I sometimes relish the idea of being the tophat and tails wearin' ringleader of the big 'ol circus, entertaining all my crazy friends, with the show that never ends.
The carnival barker, peddling cheap thrills.
It could be fun, and might actually be the revenue generating arm of the business that supplements the thing you are really trying to achieve.
Profit margins on records may be low. Profit margins on the accessories could be much higher. The T-shirts with your logo on them, the Rolling Stones mousepad impulse buy, and certainly the booze. During (certain windows of time in the program block), the scotch is what brings in the revenue, loosens a guy up enough to buy an expensive cigar marked up 4X retail. And maybe even a "Tubes" refrigerator magnet.
Word of mouth, ongoing interest, a broad range of customer types, all flocking to your record store.
I'm not sure I should be the one to ping her, but Kaat must certainly have some thoughts on what would appeal, what she would like to see in your shop.
huh
Android Expert
too funny! what a coincidence just bought Hubby a new record player for his Birthday..nothing fancy just basic turn table etc...We have a record store in town that has been there for YEARS!!! I remember going when I was a kid It's a small private owned store but has managed to stay in business since at least the early 70's..My son and I had a riot looking through all the LP's...mostly second hand stuff..but nice to see they are starting to get new stuff now! I think people are realizing that there's just "something" about hearing a record on a player...with a needle..etc...so after buying some vintage ish albums I actually DID end up buying him one from Amazon as well.. The soundtrack to "Guardians of the Galaxy" anywho..when you open your store count me in!!!
just bought Hubby a new record player for his Birthday..nothing fancy just basic turn table etc...We have a record store in town that has been there for YEARS!!! I remember going when I was a kid It's a small private owned store but has managed to stay in business since at least the early 70's..My son and I had a riot looking through all the LP's...mostly second hand stuff..but nice to see they are starting to get new stuff now! I think people are realizing that there's just "something" about hearing a record on a player...with a needle..etc...so after buying some vintage ish albums I actually DID end up buying him one from Amazon as well.. The soundtrack to "Guardians of the Galaxy" anywho..when you open your store count me in!!!
I just hope CDs can last another 6 years. If the media changes the price goes up. I still need that MBA.
I think CDs can continue to be useful when one needs music and other audio materials to be on physical media. Although USB thumb-drives seem to be very popular for that now, and are often used in the same sort of way we used to record cassette mix-tapes. I can't see them inventing yet another physical media to replace them.
There's online streamed music and downloads of course, but then that requires internet access, which sometimes might not have.
Wait ... isn't listening to an AM transistor radio through a tinny monaural 'earbud' part of the experience?
If you have a private booth that allows bourbon and cigars while listening to Charlie Parker, I am there.
I like listening to my AM transistor radio every day...
Has a headphone jack, but no Bluetooth though.
My store's gonna tank unless I get some 21st century music.
Are there any EDM artists who are funky?
Are there any EDM artists who are funky?
So EDM is last century? What are the kids listening to now?
Lord Giblets
Lurker
You mean like Bernie Madoff?
Seriously, there are some experiences coming generations will never have, like shopping in a brick and mortar music store. That's progress.
Hey, here's an MBA idea ... how about a retro amusement park that looks like a shopping mall from the 1980's? Music stores and Orange Juliuses ... pay phones and arcades with pinball machines instead of video consoles. You could even throw in a bowling alley or pool hall.
Just came back from the mall, we have HMV in Canada....... and the Orange Julius....
Dude. Be serious.
tube517
Android Expert
I used to work in a CD (and vinyl) record store in the early 90s (one was corporate and the other small mom and pop chain) . They were going away even back then. By 1995, my store closed and I was out of work.
Now, we have 2 mom and pop stores that sell CD and vinyl. Only FYE is left as far as mainstream music stores in our area. My son barely knows what a CD is.
I really need a turntable. I still have some vinyl in my collection
Now, we have 2 mom and pop stores that sell CD and vinyl. Only FYE is left as far as mainstream music stores in our area. My son barely knows what a CD is.
I really need a turntable. I still have some vinyl in my collection