Melbourne independent record store Missing Link Records will close down after nearly 30 years of trading. Even though owner Nigel Rennard had stated that it wouldn’t close ‘any time soon’ now he has issued a statement announcing that as of Friday October 7th, Missing Link Records will be no more.
As music consumption is shifting at great speed towards digital domination, there is not much hope for physical music stores anymore, only the ones with massive local support have a chance of surviving and even those ones need to adapt. In July Rocking Horse Records announced they were on the verge of closing only to be saved by locals coming back to the store and spending in numbers out of protest.
Statement from Missing Link Records:
After 30 years of retail, in the Melbourne CBD, Missing Link Records will cease trading on Friday 7th October.
The doors at 405 Bourke Street will be closing for the last time, however the store will continue under the management of Collectors Corner, as it has traded for the last year, in a new location to be announced shortly.
Adverse trading conditions over the past few years and the continued decline in hardcopy music sales, the ever present theft of music and digital options have combined to bring about the decision. The owners wish to thank all those that have supported us over a very long journey and hope that in return our support for Australian and overseas independent music will be remembered.
