A vacant store window will be replacing School Kids Music as the 25-year-old record store plays its last tunes.
Owner Tony Santone watched as sales dropped steadily over the past few years.
It's kind of been happening for a while. Right now sales are OK
but they probably aren't going to get any better unless a miracle happens said Matt Box, who has worked at the store for about five years. If it doesn't then we have to think about getting out while we can.
No date has been set for the store's closing, and it is undetermined whether the clothing section will remain open. No one is sure; the store could close in a few months or as soon as tomorrow, Box said.
School Kids, 12 S. Court St., has competition from a variety of areas, including the Internet, downloads, CD burning and other stores such as Wal-Mart and Haffas Records.
Local retailers have mixed feelings about conglomerates like Wal-Mart coming into the community.
Of course we've never really liked them that much
but apparently there are enough people in this town who do to keep them open. People need to realize how important independent retailers are. Overnight
25 years of history will be gone and no one will remember we were here
Box said.
The owner of Haffas Records, 15 W. Union St., Athens' remaining local music store, feels differently about competition from big corporations.
I'm rather indifferent about them - it's just the way the world is heading
owner Eric Gunn said. There is no point in getting up-in-arms over something you can't do anything about. You either have to find your niche or do something different.
Haffas, which also has a local history of more than 25 years, draws in a steady business. They offer a variety of independent and punk music not carried by other stores, as well as music with parental advisories, Gunn said.
School Kids also offers posters, clothing and costumes and a variety of music memorabilia in addition to music.
It's really surprising the store is closing because it seems like they had so much more than just music going for their business. It doesn't make sense to me that they are leaving
third-year Ohio University student Jenny Zegler said.
Box said he understands the free market and that corporations have rights to open anywhere. And while he is not targeting Wal-Mart specifically, he said people need to realize that local retailers put money back into the community.
Box said he is afraid big businesses will erase the unique aspects of Athens - we are what we are
and local businesses keep the community alive.
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