2008.12.30
Are you taking Plan 9 for granted?
Maybe so. We're hearing sales and inventory are both down there, and there's this bulletin bouncing around on myspace.com today, which I'll excerpt here, with expletives deleted:
> HELP! Things are not looking good for Plan 9. Things are not looking good for anybody right now, I suppose, since it's 1930 all over again right? Well things really aren't looking good for record stores in general, particularly independent ones like Plan 9. Does that matter at all to you? PLEASE come and check out our store - if we don't have anything you want, we can special order LP's, CD's, and DVD's for no extra charge. We have used and new music - we can buy your old albums you don't listen to any more for cash or you can swap them out for new sounds to please your eardrums.
Plan 9's Jamie Booker said today that the store cannot address any of the rumors. But we all know what happens to small-box record stores around here. People don't go to them, and they close. Remember Safe As Milk? The Record Exchange? Will Plan 9, a successful, Richmond-based chain, be the latest to close shop in Big Lick.
That might be up to you.
damn, that is a bummer. we're seeing a change in format these days - less people buying cds and more purchasing terrible quality, DRM-infested mp3s on places like iTunes, or just downloading them online for free. maybe these cd shops should exclusively carry vinyl? seems to be the only music people are buying these days. of course, it might have something to do with everyone losing their jobs/homes and the other wonderful things that come with a staggering economic downfall. who knows!
Comment by daine — December 30, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
people go to Plan 9 and pick up a copy Love Jones only 5.95
Comment by Case Jones — December 30, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
go to Plan 9 and special order something - TODAY!
Make sure the folks in Richmond know that we can support a real record store!
Comment by Scott B. — December 31, 2008 @ 9:02 am
That sucks...
The current state of the economy definitely has to play a big part, as well as people buying less CDs and relying more on mp3's/Itunes,etc.
I buy something there about once a month, it's all I can really afford.
Though I do buy the occasional used CD off of Amazon.com cause it is pretty cheap.
They couldn't ask for a much better location.
I think if they can hold out for another year that things should improve. Hopefully the economy will be in a slightly better state a year from now and people will be spending a little bit more.
To quote the master thespians Cheech & Chong, "Things are tough all over!"
I really hated to see Safe As Milk go. Hope Plan 9 hangs in there and more people support them.
Comment by Dylan — December 31, 2008 @ 9:41 am
I'm keeping my fingers crossed, because I love record stores and I hate shopping in big-box stores. When I was a kid, we had The Record Bar, which stocked everything. I know it was a chain, but employees played what they wanted, and they had great posters up all over the place. I just loved the atmosphere. I think Blockbuster bought it up and broke it down.
Later on, when I was traveling, I would go to places like ear X-tacy in Louisville, or Disc Exchange in Knoxville, or Backdoor Records in Johnson City (long closed). They were all better stores, and I hated not to be in them more often.
Now, I don't have time. I get to Plan 9 about as often as you do, Dylan. I live on the other side of town, if that's a decent excuse, but I can't imagine some of those people in Raleigh Court can't go buy a disc every couple of weeks.
Comment by Tad — December 31, 2008 @ 10:59 am
Tad-inspired by the postings, went to Plan 9 yesterday and bought the latest Brightblack Morning Light CD (good one, by the way). I was glad to see them open on New Year's Day and there was a lot of traffic in and out of the store. Hope all is well and best to you in the New Year!
Jay
Comment by Jay — January 2, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
Jay, I know you have good taste in music, so I'll have to check out BML.
Let's keep hoping the closest thing we have to a local record store stays alive.
Comment by Tad — January 2, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
just got war and boy from u2..$6 each! can't beat it...and ya know they sell LOCAL MUSIC
love that shop...
Comment by jd — January 6, 2009 @ 11:51 am