The future of world-renowned Los Angeles record store Amoeba Music is up in the air, with its iconic location set to be demolished to make way for high-rise apartments.
Ask any music fan about the places they most want to visit in the world, and the answer will invariably contain a reference to Amoeba Music.
First founded back in 1990 in Oakland, California, the chain opened a San Francisco store in 1997, before opening the doors on its now-iconic Los Angeles location in 2001.
Located on the corner of Sunset Boulevard, the store is in prime position for tourists and music-lovers, fast becoming a must-see location in the US city.
Check out King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at the store:
However, for a few years now, the future of the store has hung in the balance. Back in 2016, it was revealed the store had previously been sold for $34 million to make way for luxury apartments, with owners noting their lease gave them a few years still.
In 2017, the store reiterated its current position, explaining that while they have a few more years on their lease, the Los Angeles location would be moving rather than shutting down entirely.
“Rest assured, we are NOT closing, but we are now in a position where we may have to change locations in the coming years. By no means does this mean that Amoeba is leaving LA,” they explained in a statement.
Now, it appears that the writing is well and truly on the wall for the Los Angeles store, with The Los Angeles Time reporting that the city council has voted this week to approve changes to the zoning of the Sunset Boulevard address.
So what will happen in the future? Well, a mixed-use tower will replace the store, and will feature 200 residential units, while the bottom floor will boast 7,000 square feet of commercial space.
Taking to Facebook earlier today, Amoeba Music again addressed the state of things, noting they’ll likely remain in their current location for a year, before moving to a new address – likely in Hollywood.
“Rest assured, we are NOT closing,” the store wrote on Facebook. “We are going to be in the current location at 6400 Sunset Blvd for about another year, and from there we are planning to move to a new space in Hollywood.
“We have several exciting possibilities in Hollywood, and we’ll let everyone know when we have news to share.
“Thank you for all your love, concern, and support. The LA community and music lovers from around the world have embraced us and enabled us to build and grow one of the greatest record stores in the world.
“This will be a new chapter for all of us and we’re looking forward to landing in our new spot in Hollywood.”
While the Los Angeles music scene will undoubtedly lament the loss of the iconic store in its current location (as will music fans around the world), it remains to be seen where music-oriented travellers will have to set their sights in the future.
Check out Sia performing at Amoeba Music:
