TUCSON, Ariz. — A record store in Tucson will be shutting its doors after 40 years of history. The owners claim the city is forcing them out with eminent domain. PDQ Records posted the news on Facebook and told 9 On Your Side they have to be out by Christmas eve.
40 years in business means you probably have loyal customers.
“I’m an oldie but a goodie as you can see.”
Bob Jones is a former radio personality. He says PDQ Records has gotten him out of some on air jams.
“Remember we were only playing records so if you scratched it, it went thump, thump, thump on the turn table so we'd come down here and get a nice fresh copy,” said Jones.
The store is a monument to vinyl. Along with a variety of other things on sale now.
“The CD’s are a dollar each and 3 for two dollars,” said Manager Duane Gibson.
Gibson says they are having a going out of business sale, because the city will be taking over the property for the Grant expansion project.
“The owner was 94-years-old when we found out, and he was trying to fight it,” said Gibson. “He ended up passing away and we have to be out of the building one way or the other. They are going to take it and tear it down.”
For many customers it's their first-time in.
“This is pretty big sad its going away now that I know it’s here it’s going to be gone,” said customer Hector Munoz.
And for other music fans it’s a rush to grab some nostalgia while it lasts.
“Get over here while you have a chance absolutely,” said customer Kyle Johnston.
Jones says he still has hope.
“For the first time last year, vinyl outsold cd's so people are going back to vinyl.”
A city spokesperson sent us a statement saying PDQ is 100 percent incorrect that the city is forcing the store out of business saying they are choosing to go out of business and that they offered the store a relocation program.
The owner told us her husband who passed away last April at 94 years of age said he owned the place for 40 years and didn't want to move. They'll be open seven days a week -- 12 to 7 -- until their final day.
