SEATTLE — An iconic record store is closing.
Easy Street Records has only been open for 12 years in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood. However, it is considered by many to be the best place to buy CDs and vinyl records in Seattle.
"Things like this are what make this city great," customer Tim Baker said about his favorite Seattle record store.
"You can always just go online and download, but that's so easy," customer Roosevelt Scott said. "It's the adventure of just trying to find good music."
The shop hosted many live in-store performances, including shows by Pearl Jam and Elvis Costello.
"When something like this happens, then you really see how much it means to everybody," said Troy Nelson, a DJ at KEXP FM and a part-time employee at Easy Street Records.
The store had one of its best years in sales ever. However, Diamond Parking, the company which owns the building, is jacking up the rent.
Morgan Chonsy of Easy Street Records says that the store was willing to pay more rent, but "not as much as the new tenant is willing to pay." The new tenant is going to be Chase Bank.
Easy Street Records closes its Queen Anne store on Jan. 18.
Between 10-15 employees will be laid off because of the closure. Some of them may be able to transfer to Easy Street Record's West Seattle store, which will be staying open.
KIRO
