A record store in Munich, which even its competitor describes as the “best stocked” in the city, closes its doors forever.
- "Der Schallplattenladen" in Munich closes its doors - and reopens outside of the city.
- Corona has accelerated development, according to the operator.
- A competitor calls it the "best-stocked record store " in town.
Munich - It says a lot when the operator of a shop describes a direct competitor as " by far the best-stocked record shop in Munich ". Especially when it is in the neighborhood and the person quoting the quote has a reputation - albeit in a positive sense - Grantler has, but that is exactly how Günter Seewald is quoted by the “Mono” in Haidhausen , in the Munich record store report by the vinyl magazine “Mint”.
That term - “by far the best-stocked record shop in Munich” - was chosen for “Der Schallplattenladen” on Pariser Strasse, just a few minutes' walk away . He didn't know then that it would close forever. But that is exactly what owner Stefan Maierhofer confirms when asked by our editorial team.
The uncertainty could already be read on his homepage: “Dear customers of the record store, unfortunately the corona situation and its regulations require the store to be realigned. As you know, we have quite a limitation in the space in our shop. The spacing rules we can not keep and ensure actually. In order to avoid problems with it, and especially with the KVR , the shop is not open until further notice. "
But it is now clear: Maierhofer is closing his shop. Forever. From rock / pop to indie to jazz, it offered a wide range in cramped conditions for many years. Some might say: The store was literally clogged up to the ceiling - and beyond the limits of what is convenient for some customers - with vinyl .
Munich: “Record shop” closes - and opens in a different form in Otterfing
Maierhofer will not give up trading in records . On the contrary, he explains: “We're going to Otterfing and have 700 square meters of super space there, which is stocked with shelves, so throw you away. The store in Munich only covered a small fraction of our record stocks. And the rents are so high that I get 700 square meters for it in Otterfing. ”The new rooms, which are due to open on October 1st, will only be open to visitors after registering. And otherwise provide the basis for Maierhofer's online trade, which is developing well. He speaks of a 350% increase rate, "it is exploding in such a way that we cannot keep up".
Munich: "Record store" closes - Corona crisis has accelerated development
" Corona has accelerated it", Maierhofer explains his departure from Munich. "Because we have increased our location independence, because we escape the horrific rents and the madness of the city with dirt, bad air and a lack of parking spaces with intolerant people," complains Maierhofer, who raves about his regular customers, but has increasingly had to fight thefts in front of his shop . And also finds few good words for the city. A construction site made his store "barely accessible". But it is still closed anyway and will only reopen once: on August 29th for worldwide "Record Store Day" .
The corona crisis in Munich's vinyl business scene is not only having consequences for the “record shop”. In the course of the lockdown they all had to close, of course - the “record center” on Mariahilfplatz (Au) did not open again either .
Gerd Thorsch , operator of the “Schallplattenzentrale” announces - apparently completely unnerved - on the homepage: “Mask requirement, distance rule, Plexiglas pane. Dear customers! That doesn't fit in with a record store like the one I've run for 40 years and 4 months. Please understand that I do not want to open the shop under the current circumstances. In due time, the concept will be changed again. ”The branch in Lindwurmstrasse has been closed. Music fans are currently mourning the singer of the hit "If I had a hammer". (Lin)
List of rubric lists: © Der Schallplattenladen