Trend-spotting: exodus of old-school record stores from Yonge Street.
Back in December, Vortex Records announced it was heading straight into the vortex, closing after many decades on Yonge. Now Play de Record is also bidding adieu to the north-south main drag. But crate-diggers, rejoice: rather than shutter, it’s relocating to a spot just outside Kensington Market, at 411 Spadina, as of March 1.
Co-owned by Eugene Tam and Jason Palma, Toronto’s self-proclaimed “#1 dance music store” is a go-to spot for DJs, particularly those who still spin vinyl, thanks to its focus on house, dance, hip-hop, reggae, disco, R&B, techno, Latin and European imports – all spelled out at length on its iconic sign. It’s known to present recording production workshops by industry specialists through its Play de Academy, and to sell concert tickets and merchandise. (It’s also allegedly where Drake bought his first turntables.)
On its Facebook page, the store optimistically posted, “Make way for the next generation of vinyl DJs. More and more of the new guys with their controllers are going old school and buying 12s with a stack of old 90s house.” Meanwhile, long-time fans of the store appear to be queuing up to procure the sign, though here’s hoping it makes the move west.
Music retailer Rotate This also recently decided to move further west, from 801 Queen West to the Dundas and Ossington area. It’s all good news for bargain hunters – Play de Record is discounting used records by 25 per cent, new records by 15 per cent and select gear by 15 per cent until moving day at the end of February. Get more info at playderecord.com.
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