Melody Records Shop, a fixture of Dupont Circle, is closing its doors after some 34 years. Co-owner and President Jack Menase explains why the family music store is done. So you opened your shop in 1977. Why are you closing now?
We cannot compete anymore with the technology and the Internet that has affected our music industry. … We want it to be remembered the way the store was. We didn’t want to go any more down and then close it in worse conditions.
How are customers reacting?
Most of our customers have been telling us that they were surprised that we were able to hold on that long. They were sad, but on the other hand it was not a big surprise. … At this point I think everybody knows this has become a technology of the past.
You all have gone through the technology, then gone full circle, selling vinyl again. When did you start doing that?
We just started with a small selection and we noticed that the demand for vinyl was constantly going up while everything else was constantly going down.
What will you do next?
In the last week, the sales have been overwhelming. We are busy with the liquidating and with the closing process. So at this point we don’t have any idea what will be next.
Are you a musician?
No, but I love listening to music. I just listen to music all the time. It’s one of the greatest pleasures for me.
Will you be holding on to part of your collection when you close the store?
Most of the time when I am not at the store, believe it or not, I listen to radio.
Do you have an MP3 player or phone to listen to music online?
No, I don’t.
Do you plan to get one?
I don’t know. I guess I have to find out.
– Kytja Weir
– Kytja Weir
