Criminal Closing

[Odinson666]

ATLANTA -- One of Atlanta's highest profile independent record stores plans to close November 1.

Criminal Records in Little Five Points sells CDs, movies, posters and t-shirts.

Store owner Eric Levin says Criminal Records has been increasingly unable to turn a profit since the rise of digital audio.

Criminal Records has been in business since the late 80s. About 10 years ago, Levin co-founded a nationwide coalition of independent record stores designed to find ways to stay in business as CD sales declined.

Criminal Records hosted numerous customer-building events, including free in-store concerts played by music acts visiting Atlanta. But Levin says those efforts couldn't sustain the store's profitability.

He said Criminal Records will begin liquidating inventory immediately.

[Acidic Consumption]

bummer..sad to see them go..been around for a long time, remember going to the old location as well on Euclid. This economy has really killed alot of independent businesses. They outta do a farewell show there to go out in style.

[Moloc]

There's a I_LOVE_ZUCKERPENIS page dedicated to saving Criminal Records, but I don't know how much good it's gonna do. I'm going to make a point to go to the store soon and buy something. least I can do.

[doubledogpaleale]

He said Criminal Records will begin liquidating inventory immediately.

time to go shopping!

[theRothstanator]

That's sad, but that's what those salespeople get for having their nose up in the air all the time.

[Metalfreak]

He said Criminal Records will begin liquidating inventory immediately.

time to go shopping!

my thoughts exactly! I'm actually driving up this weekend so I'll be sure to hit up Criminal.

I always liked that they had metal CDs that you couldn't get anywhere else (unless you searched online) but most of their stuff was wayyy over priced. Nobody pays $16 for a CD anymore. If I bought a CD from there, it was usually no more than $10 or so and probably in the used section.

[Ryan]

Price definitely kept me from purchasing much there... and the fact that I if I buy anything anymore it's vinyl which I purchase solely to collect as I can download the music, so the immediate need for something has vanished.

[badcarburetor]

This fucking sucks.

I'll definitely go hit the vinyl section and hope for some deals. I definitely agree that their pricing was a huge disincentive to purchase there. The internet is so much cheaper. I feel like an asshole for saying that.

I saw on the news this afternoon that they may be able to stay open if they can raise $150K. How can they be that far in the hole?

Seems like maybe moving back to a smaller location might be the right move.

Where is there left to buy zines in ATL?

[GameFreac]

Sucks

[Ryan]

I definitely agree that their pricing was a huge disincentive to purchase there. The internet is so much cheaper. I feel like an asshole for saying that.

It's sad but true... and unfortunate that independently owned shops are the ones who really suffer because of it as it doesn't seem like places like FYE etc. feel it at all.

I think a smaller location with less overhead and prices that give you some sort of incentive to purchase from there, over the internet, would go a long way. I realize they have bills to pay etc. and things are priced accordingly but it seems like dropping the prices a few bucks to stay competitive would help them sell more records and make more money in the long run... $150k is a pretty deep hole though. Maybe they should do some locals shows there to raise money... Criminal isn't the coolest place ever to see a show as the racks are kinda in the way but charge like $5 at the door and give people who pay to get in $5 off a new cd/lp if they buy one that night... surely their making more than $5 profit per cd/lp they sell.

[Moloc]

That's sad, but that's what those salespeople get for having their nose up in the air all the time.

Did you have a bad experience there once?

[badcarburetor]

. Maybe they should do some locals shows there to raise money... Criminal isn't the coolest place ever to see a show as the racks are kinda in the way but charge like $5 at the door and give people who pay to get in $5 off a new cd/lp if they buy one that night... surely their making more than $5 profit per cd/lp they sell.

I'll bet we'll see a rash of benefit shows in the next month. Hopefully, partnering up with clubs like the EARL will help. Maybe charge $10 at the door and give out coupons for $5 off purchases of $25 or more.

I truly hope they stay in business, but they very much need to streamline things in order to stay solvent. That place is packed with high dollar "collectibles." I'm sure they provide an impressive profit margin when they move, but it looks to me like a lot of that stuff has been sitting there for a long time.

[Diana]

That's sad, but that's what those salespeople get for having their nose up in the air all the time.

Did you have a bad experience there once?

Once, hell. They're too cool to answer any questions or unlock a case. Chris and I stopped going there ages ago.

[ScreamBloodyGore]

That's sad, but that's what those salespeople get for having their nose up in the air all the time.

Did you have a bad experience there once?

She has bad experiences everywhere.

[Moloc]

That's sad, but that's what those salespeople get for having their nose up in the air all the time.

Did you have a bad experience there once?

Once, hell. They're too cool to answer any questions or unlock a case. Chris and I stopped going there ages ago.

Where do you go now?