THE lunchtime crowd was taking advantage of the half price vinyl records, $2 second hand albums and $5 CDs at 78 Records on Murray Street after the announcement last night the store would close after 47 years.
Manager Andrew de Lang, who has worked at the music store since 1986, said the decision to close on March 3 was “bittersweet”.
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READ NOWMr de Lang said while the resurgence of interest in vinyl records over the past few years had been good for business, it was not enough to overcome the economic downturn and popularity of streaming music.
Errol Considine, of Floreat, was browsing the shelves today reminiscing about helping the three original owners – Geoff Hudson, John Hood and John McGregor – carry boxes of LP’s in to the original store that overlooked Forrest Place.
Mr Considine said it used to be impossible to find the popular LP’s that were featured in magazines like Rolling Stone, until 78 Records came along.
“You either couldn’t get them or they were inferior copies,” he said.
“It’s terrible (that it’s closing), I’m devastated.
“78 Records was the place to be, it had big beanbags and you could come in, sit down and listen to music.”