‘Sad news’ : Melbourne says goodbye to an iconic venue and record shop
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09.12.2022

‘Sad news’ : Melbourne says goodbye to an iconic venue and record shop

Basement Discs
words by kaya martin

After almost three decades of operation, Basement Discs will be closing down its brick and mortar store.

Hidden away beneath the Block Arcade, Basement Discs was a place to get away from the chaos of the city, listen to intimate live performances and get your hand on an exciting new record. This week, Melbourne music lovers were sad to hear that the cherished venue will be closing its doors. 

Husband and wife duo of Suzanne Bennett and Rod Jacobs, who are co-owners of the shop, cite pandemic-related financial difficulty as the reason for shuttering the storefront. 

Basement Discs will be closing its storefront

  • The 28-year-old record shop will shut down after facing financial pressures related to the Covid-19 pandemic 
  • Once located on the lower levels of the Block Arcade, the store is now set to be replaced with a web shop 
  • Guests are invited to come to one of the last live shows to show support, pick up a record, and say goodbye

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Although they say it was “never a money making venue” and “a labour of absolute love”, recent years were the final straw for the store. They hadn’t been able to make even half of their pre-pandemic profits. 

With a move-out date set for January 31, the couple says they hope that the final few weeks will be full of live music and customers coming to pay their respects. They have a show booked for the afternoon of Saturday, December 10, featuring Alyce Platt, Tanya Lee Davis and Jeff Lang & Allison Ferrier. 

 

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They’re not bidding the music business adieu altogether though – Basement Discs will now focus on its online presence, with hopes of teaming up with other music spaces to host in-person events in the future.

The company’s web store is set to be updated and they are planning on creating a subscription-only BD Music Club. They say that this will be an inspiring move for Rod, who is eager to get back into the mix after taking a step back from the store due to his compromised immune system. 

“This will be a massive injection of joy, fulfillment and connection for him that he is so looking forward to! And of course I will be helping him without doubt,” says Suzanne. 

Though sad to be moving on, the couple has a positive outlook for what the next phase of Basement Discs will bring.

“A new year, a new start… This is going to be fun.”

To find out more about one of the last Basement Discs shows, taking place on December 10, head here