cactus records (non-bb)

[NeilT]

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou071106_jj_cactusreopens.1e4d0bda7.html

New ownership.

[Andyzipp]

It'll go under within the year.  Sad to say, but the record store isn't a viable business any longer.

The saving grace may be the art gallery, but I'm skeptical.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

The ownership is different, but the management is the same.  So long as the owners don't make any boneheaded financial decisions, there will always be a niche for a place like Cactus.  Amazon, not Best Buy, is their real competition.

[Andyzipp]

The ownership is different, but the management is the same.  So long as the owners don't make any boneheaded financial decisions, there will always be a niche for a place like Cactus.  Amazon, not Best Buy, is their real competition.

Don't get me wrong.  I love the idea that they're open.  I missed them while they were gone.  But I don't think without a focus on something else besides recorded media, they're long for the world.

The art gallery, drinks & food, and a performing stage will mitigate some of that.  But the focus is going to have to be away from the media.  I personally love going to record stores and looking around.  I don't think the majority of people do anymore.

[chuck]

Selling music is a money-losing business, that's for sure. I always thought they could do better than they did with the DVD rental side of the business.

By the way, what the hell used to be in Cactus' new space? I'm having a hard time picturing it. Was it that old Music Wherehouse or whatever it was called?

[Andyzipp]

Selling music is a money-losing business, that's for sure. I always thought they could do better than they did with the DVD rental side of the business.

By the way, what the hell used to be in Cactus' new space? I'm having a hard time picturing it. Was it that old Music Wherehouse or whatever it was called?

Wherehouse.  Before that it was another music store whose name escapes me.

According to the old owners, the drop in rentals was one of the big issues with continuing the business.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Wherehouse.  Before that it was another music store whose name escapes me.

According to the old owners, the drop in rentals was one of the big issues with continuing the business.

Yeah, they didn't make the VHS-DVD transition nearly quickly enough. 

I dunno.  The new space is likely cheaper than the original location, and there can be foot traffic from Freebirds, Amy's, and Star Pizza, all of which (kinda) cater to the target demo for indie/obscure music.   Andy's right, though: the other products/services will help smooth things out when the music biz isn't as strong. 

I don't know if the retail music apocolypse is all it's cracked up to be.  I don't think that because 50 Cent didn't go platinum as quickly as expected that the market for quality local/regional music is going to go online.  All that means is that 15 year olds like free shit and know where to find it.

[astrojo]

Forget Cactus, bring back Record Rack.

[austro]

Forget Cactus, bring back Record Rack.

Was that the little second-hand record store at Greenbriar and Bissonet?

[astrojo]

Was that the little second-hand record store at Greenbriar and Bissonet?

Shepherd/West Alabama in a small strip center - currently a tattoo parlour.

[Andyzipp]

Yeah, they didn't make the VHS-DVD transition nearly quickly enough. 

I dunno.  The new space is likely cheaper than the original location, and there can be foot traffic from Freebirds, Amy's, and Star Pizza, all of which (kinda) cater to the target demo for indie/obscure music.   Andy's right, though: the other products/services will help smooth things out when the music biz isn't as strong. 

I don't know if the retail music apocolypse is all it's cracked up to be.  I don't think that because 50 Cent didn't go platinum as quickly as expected that the market for quality local/regional music is going to go online.  All that means is that 15 year olds like free shit and know where to find it.

That's a great point.  If they can partner (for lack of a better term) with the more ecclectic businesses around there they have a chance.  I keep point to the art gallery for a sign of hope, because somehow SoundWaves turned into a surf shop in the middle of Montrose and they appear to be doing well.

[Limey]

That's a great point.  If they can partner (for lack of a better term) with the more ecclectic businesses around there they have a chance.  I keep point to the art gallery for a sign of hope, because somehow SoundWaves turned into a surf shop in the middle of Montrose and they appear to be doing well.

They also sell coffee.

[astrojo]

Was that the little second-hand record store at Greenbriar and Bissonet?

I think that was Sound Exchange.

Those places bring back memories.  Another one was Infinite Records.

[Gizzmonic]

They also sell coffee.

Limey, your avatar pic disappeared.  If you need a place to host your pic, let me know, I've got plenty of webspace.

[Limey]

Limey, your avatar pic disappeared.  If you need a place to host your pic, let me know, I've got plenty of webspace.

Huh?  I still see it.  It's linked off the web.

[BudGirl]

Huh?  I still see it.  It's linked off the web.

so your picture is tripod?

[Limey]

so your picture is tripod?

Eh?  It's Cousin Avi.

[subnuclear]

Its not showing up for me either.

[Ty in Tampa]

Eh?  It's Cousin Avi.

Flush yer cache, dude.

[BudGirl]

Eh?  It's Cousin Avi.

No, it's not.

[xxx]

my friend just e-mailed me about this and the re-opening. It sounds like some of his buddies are backing the previous owner to keep it open.

[NeilT]

Wherehouse.  Before that it was another music store whose name escapes me.

According to the old owners, the drop in rentals was one of the big issues with continuing the business.

It's actually diagonally across the street, I think, not Shepherd but the side street.  It's across the street from the pub with the antlers on the front. 

[Andyzipp]

It's actually diagonally across the street, I think, not Shepherd but the side street.  It's across the street from the pub with the antlers on the front. 

Yeah, we were around there for lunch, and I saw how wrong I was.  Much smaller location than in the past.  Looked like they had already set up the vinyl section...

[BudGirl]

It's actually diagonally across the street, I think, not Shepherd but the side street.  It's across the street from the pub with the antlers on the front. 

That pub is Stag's Head.

[Limey]

That pub is Stag's Head.

A pale imitation of the glory that was The Ale House.  Damn you Borders, Fleming's and Pesce!  Damn you to hell!

[BudGirl]

A pale imitation of the glory that was The Ale House.  Damn you Borders, Fleming's and Pesce!  Damn you to hell!

I think that may have been gone by the time I moved to Houston.

[The Third Man]

I think that was Sound Exchange.

Those places bring back memories.  Another one was Infinite Records.

Infinite Records was great...I got a great David Bowie standup cardboard display when they released "Station to Station" on Rykodisc in the early 90's. It was nice to have a record store where the staff could clue you in on some interesting music without making you feel like a country bumpkin for not memorizing the back catalog of Neu. This reminiscence was brought to you by the I'm-Fucking-Old Club...

[94CougarGrad]

Shepherd/West Alabama in a small strip center - currently a tattoo parlour.

I ate at Jenni's Noodle House in that strip center last week... apparently there's a bar-slash-barbershop opening there? I only half-looked, but... I dunno, a bar-slash-barbershop, just unsure that that's a good idea. Maybe as long as the razors are kept locked up.

[hillbillyken]

How about a store that sells 8-traks and beta!!!That would rock!


Oh by the way the 80's called they want their thread back?

[BudGirl]

I ate at Jenni's Noodle House in that strip center last week... apparently there's a bar-slash-barbershop opening there? I only half-looked, but... I dunno, a bar-slash-barbershop, just unsure that that's a good idea. Maybe as long as the razors are kept locked up.

I didn't know there was more than one Jenni's.  The only one I know is in the downtown area.

[Andyzipp]

I didn't know there was more than one Jenni's.  The only one I know is in the downtown area.

They just opened up a few weeks ago, I think.  Between Richmond and Alabama on Shepherd.  Or for those of you who use land marks...stumble distance from Roeders.

[BudGirl]

Anyone else check out Grooves yet?

[94CougarGrad]

I didn't know there was more than one Jenni's.  The only one I know is in the downtown area.

That Jenni's actually closed. Before the new one opened, the hubby and I talked with one of the employees at the downtown location, and he said the second location was going to be an addition to the Jenni's family, not a replacement. Not sure what happened to change their minds, but the downtown Jenni's is gone- only the Shepherd/Alabama one's around now. Same simple concept, same good food, just different place.