Topic: Record Shop/Barber/Shoe Shop/Garden Centre/Greggs
I was up in Dublin there recently. Had a look into a couple of the ever dwindling number of record shops that survive in the Irish capital.
I first went into one I've frequented since my teenage years. Constant as the North Star the place hasn't changed for near fifteen years. One or two worthwhile records dotted here and there but lots of general stuff. Traded in some record. Got some sighs, got some "I'm doing you a massive favour here, got a bad price, got a drink.
Went down to All City Dublin for a look aswell. Got a friendly welcome and had a look at what they had.
The shop occupies a space that has been a record store on and off for years, and one which has swapped hands many times. But All City has been open for a decent time and looks to be doing well. They'd an excellent range of stuff, near all I'd want really and I'd definitely use it if I lived there.
Anyway, it's a store that's always diversified. It's a record label, it's a t-shirt store, it sells spray paint.
Now it looks to have diversified again. Down by the turntables there sits two large mirrors, two large chairs, two thin men.
The back of the store, where you can see records in the pic, is now...a barbers.
Record stores have always occupied sidelong spaces and unwanted units, the sharing of space is nothing new either; but I'd never seen a record shop with so many other things goin on before. I can imagine this kind of utilisation happens in a lots of cities, especially the likes of NY or London where rates are astronomical.
I also know record stores, despite all the talk of vinyl sales, are struggling.
Personally I'm not adverse to the idea and think it's a clever survival tactic, but I know there will be people out there who would be immediately put off by such ultra cross-pollination.
The final dilution or a clever solution?
