Amoeba Music Launches GoFundMe to Maintain Record Stores
The 30-year-old music institution is asking the community for support during these trying times.
Amoeba Music has launched a GoFundMe campaigned for their Berkley, San Francisco and Los Angeles record stores to stay in business during the time of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Founders Dave Prinz and Marc Weinstein appealed to supporters of their independent music chain, aiming to rise $400,000 USD to pay bills, rent and their staff of over 400.
“We have weathered many storms — 9/11, recessions, the Internet, downloading and streaming. But we don’t know that we can weather the COVID-19 storm,” they wrote. “All three of our stores have been closed since mid-March and must remain closed indefinitely. With no way to generate income, our savings are running out, with bills and rent coming due, and with a primary commitment to our staff, who we are trying to keep as healthy and financially sound as possible.”
On top of financial aid from the Amoeba Music community, Prinz and Weinstein are also looking at “every possible means of support,” ranging from federal and local grants to loans, however these are not guaranteed funds and will not meet their short-term needs. “Though, we’re dark now, Amoeba is still there, waiting for the day when our doors can be opened again to welcome everyone back inside to celebrate the joy of what moves our souls the most: Music,” Prinz and Weinstein continued. “Until then, keep the faith.”
Prinz and Weinstein established Amoeba Music in 1990 as an independent record store and has since transformed into an institution, all the while maintaining their autonomy and staying true to their non-corporate roots. The record store chain has expanded from selling and trading to a live music venue and the home of the Webby Award-winning series What’s In My Bag?.
Take a look at Amoeba Music’s campaign on GoFundMe.
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