Record Exchange closes its doors

Sad news, Raleigh music lovers. The Record Exchange's Hillsborough Street location has gone out of business, and the Mission Valley store isn't far behind.

TREX President Don Rosenberg cited declining sales due to competition from stores like Wal-Mart and Best Buy as well as the popularity of online downloads.

Rosenberg said he tried to diversify the stores by selling DVDs and video games, but it wasn't enough.

Even though TREX is calling it quits, Rosenberg said there's still hope for independent retailers.

"There is potential out there for stores to do well even in an iPod world," he said. "There is a future in this. It just may not be me that does it."

TREX's Mission Valley location is in the middle of a clearance sale and will only be open for about another week.

UPDATE: Sources tell Triangle Music that the Mission Valley location will reopen with a new distributor, and this whole thing is actually for the best. But still, go check out the sale while it's still going on — 20% off CDs, DVDs, etc and 50% off vinyl and bargain bin merchandise.

[photos by Kevin Norris]