LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Candles were lit and John Timmons hugged friends and colleagues as some wiped away tears -- many of them upset over the loss of Timmons' child.
At least, that's what he called the music store he owned and operated for 26 years.
Ear X-tacy closed its doors abruptly last week, bringing an end to an independent music store that drew national award-winning acts but also gave local artists a place to sell their music and play in-store shows. Many who gathered Wednesday night outside the store said ear X-tacy "lived beyond its walls."
"It was more than a record store," said Randy Bolton, a music buyer who worked there for 17 years. "It was a pleasure to work there so long."
John Timmons thanked the crowd of more than 50 supporters who gathered, saying he was touched that so many people were affected by the store.
Timmons told WDRB News that he was forced to close the store because of a down economy, the rise in digital music sales and a business model that he said tried to do too many things.
"For 26 years, it's just been amazing to see how the store has affected people," Timmons said.
Timmons moved the store to a location in the Douglas Loop after years in a store on Bardstown Road near Eastern Parkway. He said he closed the store abruptly because he didn't want to "cry wolf again" by asking consumers a second time to patronize his store (his effort last year to garner more sales helped but also was met with some public backlash, he said).
"I want to be able to take care of everybody and if I can't do that, then it's time to say goodbye," Timmons said.
His co-workers shared stories and fond memories of the store over the years.
"We absolutely love turning people on to music and having them turn others on to other music. It's all reciprocal," said Sean Bailey, a long-time employee.
When asked why he had to close the store, Timmons said he could survive the music industry changes but couldn't fight off the economy and people losing disposal income. He said the crowd support from Wednesday night's vigil made him feel a little better.
"I feel good about that," Timmons said. "I hate to close the store but now it gives me the ability to figure out what to do next."
Timmons, 56, says he doesn't know what his next move will be. He says he'll wait until his employees are "gainfully employed" again before worrying about his next move.
Timmons says the store does plan to have a liquidation sale to get rid of its massive inventory, but he isn't sure when that will be.
A film crew working on the documentary called "Brick and Mortar and Love" followed the story of ear X-tacy records, as it struggled to survive. The filmmaker attended Wednesday night's vigil, and is hoping to have a showing of the movie in Louisville sometime in 2012.
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