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Stores Thu Nov 01 2007
Hot Jams Becoming Pink Machine
The last few years have been difficult for record stores. Tower is gone and Virgin has closed in some cities. Even Berwick Street in London (famous for its plethora of shops immortalized on the cover of Oasis' (What's the Story) Morning Glory?) has been hit hard in the last few years and lost many of its shops. In Chicago, Hi-Fi closed last November and other stores are struggling. The trick in staying open appears to be appealing to a niche crowd and offering consumers something that can't be downloaded.
Or, in the case of Hot Jams at 4814 S Pulaski, it's been offering consumers the chance to download. You see, at this shop that specializes in house and all types of electronic music, the front half has become an internet cafe, which allows for customers to check out records while being online. And in January, the store will become Pink Machine Studios. To make way for the space needed for the recording studio, Hot Jams is clearing out the old vinyl inventory at 50% off until it's gone! So if you're looking for your vinyl-loving friends in the next few months, there's a good chance they'll be digging at Hot Jams.