Saying Farewell to a Business That Turned Into an Identity

[PoliticAverse]

On his last day as a company man, Marty Singer braced himself for the final drive to the office. It was Friday morning. The clock was ticking. But he couldn’t bear to go.

So he answered another phone call. He tapped out another text. He composed another email. He sat down at his kitchen table and wept.

At 10:30 a.m., he finally picked up his keys. “Be strong,” he told himself.

Then he walked out his front door, into a world without J&R Music.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/14/nyregion/saying-farewell-to-a-business-that-turned-into-an-identity.html

[shenmue]

1. Nooooooooo :(

Le sad!!!

[PoliticAverse]

2. 11:30 AM today is the final inventory auction...

http://asmauctioneers.com/auctiondetails1.html

I bought a lot of cheap CDs at J&R back in the day.

[hrmjustin]

5. I remember as a teen and in my early 20's hanging out and listening to my favorite music.

Just heartbreaking.

[hrmjustin]

3. This is so freaking sad and it is happening to so many companies.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. I remember when they owned that block on Park Row...

with the only classical store I knew of. A whole store of just classical music. And the place you went to for jazz.

This is sad.

Very sad.

But, record stores are as dead as bookstores in the new world.

Downloading MP3's just isn't the same.

[hrmjustin]

6. This is just so sad.

[zipplewrath]

7. Kinda a different story from their website

To Our Loyal Customers,


Since opening a tiny basement record shop here on Park Row in 1971, J&R has evolved into what ultimately became a block-long technology and music super store, with all of the latest and greatest gadgets for New Yorkers and tourists to see, as well as music's top performers for all dedicated fans to hear and experience. A lot has changed in these 43 years, including not only the way we listen to music and the technology products we sell, but the way people shop and socialize. In fact, this entire Lower Manhattan area is changing dramatically, finally ready to blossom after 12 difficult rebuilding years.

As part of these evolutions, we too have to continue to adapt to the technology, retailing, and real estate trends and reinvent ourselves as we continue to look ahead. On April 10th, J&R will close its doors so that we can rebuild this location into what we hope will be an unprecedented retailing concept and social mecca. In order to facilitate this exciting new initiative, the buildings that J&R occupies have to be totally reimagined and redeveloped. We look forward to sharing more details of these changes in the coming months.

In the meantime, we want to thank our customers, staff, and vendors for what has been an incredible 43 years and helping make J&R Music and Computer World the legendary iconic store that makes us so proud. We would also like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this transition period. We hope you look forward with us to a revitalized and bustling Park Row and Lower Manhattan.

[hrmjustin]

8. kicking.