PORTLAND, Oregon — A longtime Portland record store is being forced to vacate its downtown storefront after over 40 years. But it's not just them being kicked out.
A few months ago, tenants inside the Governor Building on Southwest 2nd Avenue were notified they were being forced to vacate.
"After 42 years of conducting business at The Governor Building, 2nd Avenue Records has been notified that we must vacate the building," the record store said in a Facebook post Tuesday.
The record store has been a staple at the Governor Building and in downtown Portland. Many commented on 2nd Avenue Record's Facebook post with support and suggestions on where the record store could move to next.
“We had hoped to stay on long enough to at least see the downtown come back,” said Cathy Hagen, who manages 2nd Avenue Records.
In the Facebook post, 2nd Avenue Records said that it is looking into options for relocation, but "at this point, nothing is certain, except that our tenancy at this location is quickly and sadly coming to an end."
Hagen told KGW that they may be forced to shut down if they can't relocate.
“It’s just got a huge variety of music," said Carl Annala, a customer. “I think in the beginning, it's because it was one of the few places that you could find strange music, like punk rock, experimental music.”
Other tenants of the Governor Building are just as shocked.
"It’s just kind of a huge blow,” said Dan White, who owns Villainous Art Collection, a tattoo shop in the building.
White said that the vacate orders came just three months into his three-year lease.
"I just got the space kind of up and running and started getting traffic and all that kind of stuff and was basically told none of that mattered," White said. "I think this is it for me."
Many tenants said that the reason for the vacate orders haven't been clear. Hagen said she asked why they must vacate but was told there were no plans for the building.
Downtown Development Group LLC, who manages the building, said in a statement that they notified tenants in late August and early September they would no longer be "operating the building as part of our retail portfolio."
"We have been in active discussions with the tenants to assist them through this transition," Downtown Development Group said. "There have been many inaccuracies in news stories about this topic. We have decided not to air private business matters in the media and will not be making any further comments.”
Hagen said she does not know when the store's last day at this location will be but is assuming it'll likely be end of December. For now, the store is operating as somewhat normal and plan to still put on its RSD Black Friday sale on Nov. 29.
The store has asked that people close out an existing consignments and outstanding gift certificates. Additionally, no new consignments or gift certificates will be issued at this time.
Hagen said that they have been working with Downtown Development Group on a new place to relocate, too. Currently, they have an offer on another downtown location, but it is still under construction.
“This particular area right in here has pretty much nothing going for it right now, so we’re kind of the last party standing,” Hagen said.
