LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After more than 30 years as a cultural landmark in west Louisville, Better Days West Records inside Lyles Mall has closed its doors.

Its last day was Sept. 20. 

For many in Louisville's West End, Better Days West records was more than just a music shop -- it was an institution. And customers say its closure marks the end of an era for the community.

That's because its owner, Ben Jones, did much more than provide an inventory of 30,000 vinyl records for his customers. He also helped residents secure tickets to some of the community's biggest events when they were unable to navigate online portals. 

"Ben would always open his doors for those of us in the West End that needed tickets," Archie Dale said. "We didn't have Eventbrite."

Because of that, residents called Jones' shop "The Ali of Record Stores."

Jones also owns and runs another Better Days location in the Highlands, on Barrett Avenue. That's where he relocated from Bardstown Road in December 2020 after doing business there  for more than three decades.

Now at age 64, Jones said he's no longer up to running two stores, so he decided not to renew his lease which ends in October. 

Better Days West Record Shop

Pictured: The entrance of Better Days Records West at 2600 W. Broadway in Louisville, Ky., with a sign announcing a half-price sale on all items before the location's closure. (WDRB/Krystal Goodner)

"It's been more than 35 years that I have to split myself up every morning, opening up two stores," Jones said. 

When Better Days West opened in Lyles Mall in the late '80s and early '90s, it was the only store of its kind, catering to a Black audience.

For Jones, one memory from his west Louisville location stands out: the release of one of Tupac Shakur's albums. 

"When Tupac's 'All Eyez On Me' came out, we opened up at 12 o' clock (midnight). We sold 1,000 pieces -- at 12 o'clock at night. So that was definitely the heyday."

Like many small businesses, Better Days West has faced serious challenges in recent years -- from the rise of digital streaming to economic shifts impacting foot traffic at Lyles Mall. 

"Streaming has definitely been a detriment to mom and pop stores to brick and mortar stores like a Better Days," said WLOU radio personality Mark Gunn. 

While the store on Barrett Avenue in the Highlands remains open, the closure of Better Days West will leave a void in west Louisville, especially with vinyl making a resurgence.

Gunn is sorry to see it go. 

"The fact that you're not going to be able to get it in the West End is a sad thing," Gunn said. 

While it may be the end of days for the Better Days location in west Louisville, Jones hopes his customers will follow the beat to his store in the Highlands. 

It's a tough goodbye for many in the community but Jones said he will continue to serve music lovers at their Barrett Avenue location.

"I know that you love me," Jones said, adding: "I love Louisville, and I love the West End. And I'm still going to take care of us." 

The Better Days Records store in the Highlands is located at 921 Barrett Avenue. 

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