So I was in Classical Millenium in Portland yesterday

flyingdutchman · June 03, 2009, 04:56:59 PM

And the salesperson Michael (a long time employee there) made comment that the store might not survive the Summer. This is so sad. It is truly one of the best stores in the US and doesn't deserve this ending. I bought a few discs before leaving for the day.

Gurn Blanston · June 03, 2009, 05:17:50 PM

Quote from: jo jo starbuck on June 03, 2009, 04:56:59 PM
And the salesperson Michael (a long time employee there) made comment that the store might not survive the Summer. This is so sad. It is truly one of the best stores in the US and doesn't deserve this ending. I bought a few discs before leaving for the day.

Are you saying that there is an actual brick-and-mortar classical music store still in 2009?

Sounds like it is shortly to enter the Age of the Dinosaurs, but it did hold out longer than most, it seems. Sad thing to hear...

----------------
Listening to:
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra - K 297B Anh C14.01 Sinfonia Concertante in Eb for Flute, Oboe, Horn & Bassoon 3rd mvmt - Andantino con variazioni

Todd · June 03, 2009, 07:26:32 PM

Bummer, I'll need to make a few more stops before they go under. Part of the problem is that they don't really compete on price.

flyingdutchman · June 03, 2009, 09:07:52 PM

They still have an excellent selection of used and often OOP stuff.

Todd · June 04, 2009, 06:22:26 AM

Quote from: jo jo starbuck on June 03, 2009, 09:07:52 PMThey still have an excellent selection of used and often OOP stuff.

True, but more often than not they can't compete on either price or selection in those areas either. The Amazon marketplace, European online vendors, various small online shops, a local used CD/LP chain: all are eating Classical Millenium's lunch. I love the store, musty smell and all, and have frequented it for years, but it can't really compete.

Brian · June 04, 2009, 07:06:06 PM

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on June 03, 2009, 05:17:50 PM
Are you saying that there is an actual brick-and-mortar classical music store still in 2009?

Gurn! Sounds like you need to go to Houston and visit Joel's Classical Shop!

snyprrr · June 04, 2009, 11:16:55 PM

I remember "Planet Music" about 12-13 years ago. They were supposed to have "1" of everything, you could return anything, and so forth... they were gonna bury "Tower"... but in the end they they were selling BIS for $4.99... and now, they're all gone.

Sure, I don't mind finding a great box set for $5 on line, but the feeling of going into a used store and losing your mind... ahhh, those were the days!

I'm a firm believer that it's NOT all about the music, stupid... because there's a lot of "well, as long as I get mine," which is the mega-mentality that got us where there is no longer a cozy place to go and MEET..."PEOPLE"...remember what they were?

Oh, what happened to the 70s?... or the 80s?...even the 90s...

And what's up with certain amazon type sellers selling cds for $300??? That just makes me mad...oy! Some place in California, every cd, $300.

Gurn Blanston · June 05, 2009, 04:33:14 AM

Quote from: Brian on June 04, 2009, 07:06:06 PM
Gurn! Sounds like you need to go to Houston and visit Joel's Classical Shop!

Yes, I guess it does. The surprise here is not that there is still a brick-and-mortar classical shop in Texas, it's that there ever WAS a classical shop in Texas (outside of Austin, that is).

If you're going to be back at Rice next semester, I may need to call on you as a guide. Houston has me buffaloed... $:-\$

Brian · June 05, 2009, 07:38:32 AM

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on June 05, 2009, 04:33:14 AM
Yes, I guess it does. The surprise here is not that there is still a brick-and-mortar classical shop in Texas, it's that there ever WAS a classical shop in Texas (outside of Austin, that is).

If you're going to be back at Rice next semester, I may need to call on you as a guide. Houston has me buffaloed... $:-\$

I sure will be around! Unfortunately Rice and Joel's are both deep in the heart of the beast ...

Catison · June 05, 2009, 09:56:44 AM

Quote from: Brian on June 04, 2009, 07:06:06 PM
Gurn! Sounds like you need to go to Houston and visit Joel's Classical Shop!

No way! I thought he'd be under by now. I visited that store just days after it opened. I remember buying Xenakis and telling him to expand his Schoenberg selection. He actually took my advice!

Brian · June 05, 2009, 10:45:47 AM

Quote from: Catison on June 05, 2009, 09:56:44 AM
No way! I thought he'd be under by now. I visited that store just days after it opened. I remember buying Xenakis and telling him to expand his Schoenberg selection. He actually took my advice!

Joel's a great guy. He told me that times are hard these days but that most of his savings/assets are in the store and inventory, so "If I ever have to close down, I'll have a lot to listen to in retirement." I don't think he will, though. He recently moved to a new location and on my last visit, a guy came in, heard the music playing on the store speakers, asked what it was (Vasks' Violin Concerto), and promptly bought/ordered every Peteris Vasks CD in existence.

Coopmv · June 06, 2009, 06:35:15 PM

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on June 03, 2009, 05:17:50 PM
Are you saying that there is an actual brick-and-mortar classical music store still in 2009? Sounds like it is shortly to enter the Age of the Dinosaurs, but it did hold out longer than most, it seems. Sad thing to hear...

J&R Music is still around in NYC after 30 years and our George still shops there ...

So I was in Classical Millenium in Portland yesterday

snyprrr