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!

 

goofyfoot

Thanks to all for the input, the post lives! @jji666 yes, a very creative business model seems more necessary today than it did thirty five years ago. By the way way, I picked up a pre-owned Edwin Fischer Piano, Andante Label box set on eBay just a couple of days ago. I got it in the mail yesterday! So I'm still buying physical, digital media and the occasional new, remastered vinyl pressing. So us sixty plus year old dinosaurs, are still searching about town for someone to chat with about bands, records and the good ole days. Employees however seem to get younger and younger and there's a gap that can't be bridged between The Incredible String Band and Drake. Eventually we'll die out but I make the assumption that music will live on in some format or other.

Not every bricks-and-mortar record store is on the way out. I just visited a new spot in Portland, OR's Sellwood neighborhood called "The Record Pub." They've been in business since July '22 and sell vinyl and cassettes (of all things) - a good selection of both new and used vinyl. Vintage hi-fi gear is also part of their business as well as at least six craft beers and one cider on tap, wine and all sorts of bottled beers and soft drinks. They hold "'record bingo" weekly and the whole place has a great vibe. I found them on the web while my wife and I were visiting friends in Portland, we visited and had a fine time. If you're in Portland, look them up. They're on S. Milwaukie Ave. Don't bemoan the departed; raise up the new!

 

@mahgister wondered what happened to you, still don't have the time to read your posts  AB

In short: i was in the obligation to sell my house suddenly... I loose my music because i loose my acoustic dedicated room which was for the first time of my life pure musical 3-D soundfield... I was sad and depressed, in the tsunami of selling and buying... my health did not improve 10 months ago... and i did not have anything to communicate here anymore...

But to regain joy and music,  i go into headphone, takes 6 months ofr intensive listening experiments and modifications with the AKG K 340... Now i am happy nmore than ever musically and acoustically , in a better health... I missed friendships here... I came back...

 

Thanks for your kind interest toward me...

I wish you the very best...

@mahgister wondered what happened to you, still don’t have the time to read your posts AB

 

I miss our local Borders bookstore. Not just the book and music selections (which were pretty good) but also the cozy reading nooks. Long gone, along with our local hardware store with its excellent lumber yard and shop. I walked into that shop one day, handed a drawing to an old guy called "Shorty", and he cut me the parts on the spot in about 20 minutes. Well, mea culpa, because after a few years I was buying most of my tools online or at a big box store.  

 

 

@goofyfoot

Wow, just saw this, sad indeed.

When I was attending UC in the mid 70’s, Moles was within walking distance from Sander Hall (since torn down), and Bogarts, where I saw many great musicians at the time.

I have many many records I bought at Moles, and still have the stickers on them….$.50, $1….so damn cheap.

Moles also had a store in Columbus on High Street in the OSU campus area, and I bought many many LP’s there as well.

Moles was an institution in both places, so sad to hear it closed, as you would think this would be great time to stay open after all these years.

RIP Moles!