New record store to open in Dundalk this Friday

A new record store will open its doors in Dundalk this Friday.

Located in the Demesne Shopping Centre, Classified Records is an independent store aimed at selling vinyl records.

It will stock both vintage classic and up-to-date modern releases, as well as second hand CDs, DVDs and accessories.

The attitude of Classified Records is that the local record store is not dead, it is just reformed for a niche audience in the digital era.

Proprietor, Neil Waters, is undaunted by the digital competition and senses a renewed enthusiasm for collecting vinyl music.

“With the internet, streaming and downloads there is so much music freely available, but the novelty of abundance has worn off a lot of music lovers. People who really love to collect music make it a special part of their lives, they invest in their collections because they matter to them. We are aiming to cater for that growing number of enthusiasts,” he said.

In an era when there is a digital music store in every pocket, a previously written-off technology is back and is ready to open new ears.

”Vinyl has always been special to me, I’ve always compulsively collected it. After years of gigging, it just seems like a natural progression for me to move into the area of retailing records.

“There is a vibrant music/arts community here in the area so we have a ready-made customer base who strongly shares our love of records,” Neil said.

The store has made Dundalk town centre its home and aims to be a hub to the music community as well as a retail outlet, a destination shop for local music lovers.

Despite it being more than 15 years since vinyl was sold in Dundalk, there remains a strong commitment to LPs & 12”s with collectors and DJ’s still spinning them at local gigs.

Independent record stores are the last bastion for music lovers who are not digitally immersed and offer a personal service for sourcing music that can never be replicated online; they form part of a community and culture. With genres from rock n’roll to reggae and thrash metal to hip hop, as well as a myriad of music and DJing accessories, Classified Records has the needs of local music lovers at heart.

“We are a specialist record shop, but not elitist. People will feel welcome when they come into the store and can feel free to ask for whatever records they want, no matter how weird or abstract. We carry a huge back-catalogue, impossible to stock, but easy to order in upon request, we encourage it.”

Classified Records is opening on Friday August 14^th.

You can follow Classified Records via their Facebook page here.

DVD released on Louth 1957 team

A new DVD has been put together commemorating the Louth 1957 All-Ireland team.

The new release, which also features interviews with greats from St Mary’s GFC, was put together by the Ardee-based club.

It features recorded interviews with the likes of Patsy Coleman, Kevin Beahan, Jim Judge, Jim McDonnell, Dan O’Neill, Aiden Magennis, Jim McArdle, Alfie Monk, Pat Markey, Jackie Reynolds, Paddy Beahan, Johnny Ross and Jim Roe.

Sean Boyle also reflects on 15 golden years from 1938 to 1953, while there is also video recordings of the 1957 and 1950 All-Ireland finals.

To get your hands on this DVD call Brendan Matthews on 087-3264733 or email brendan1matthews@yahoo.ie

It is also available from St Mary’s GFC or O’Neill’s Menswear Ardee.

Xtra-vision kiosks will allow movie fans to rent a film from their local Spar

What the new kiosks will look like in Spar

Movie fans will soon be able to pick up the latest DVD releases when they pop out for a pint of milk.

That’s because Spar has teamed up with Xtra-vision to provide new DVD vending machines in 19 outlets across four counties, including Louth, Meath, Kildare and Dublin.

Each rental costs €2.99 per night, with the first movie free. Customers just insert their blank cards into the machine and follow the steps on screen.

Spar in Dunleer will be the first to trial the new kiosks, with the possibility of the programme being expanded to the stores on the Carrick Road, Newry Road and Tallanstown.

Related articles

• Meanwhile, in Xtra-vision (talkofthetown.ie)
• HMV reopening moves a step closer (talkofthetown.ie)

Coming soon to Dundalk… the return of HMV

The return of HMV to Dundalk is getting ever nearer it seems.

The town has been without the music, DVD and games retailer since its store in the Marshes closed earlier this year. It was announced recently, however, that HMV would be reopening around the country in Xtra-vision stores, having been taken over by Hilco UK.

A sign has recently gone up advertising HMV’s return to Dundalk at Xtra-vision’s Long Walk store and while no date for the return of HMV has been confirmed, it is understood it will be open by next month.

Eleven HMV outlets in Xtra-vision will reopen this Saturday, including the one in Drogheda.

Related articles

• HMV reopening moves a step closer (talkofthetown.ie)

New Marshes store to open today

A new store is set to open in the Marshes Shopping Centre today in the outlet previously occupied by Jane Norman and, most recently, Freestyle.

Entertainment Exchange will allow people to buy, sell and exchange phones and other electronic equipment including games, DVDs, phones, e-books, laptops, computers and more.

For further details on Entertainment Exchange visit their site webuy.com

Future of Dundalk Xtra-vision secured

The future of Dundalk’s Xtra-vision store at the Long Walk appears to have been secured after the company was sold yesterday to Hilco Capital Ireland for an undisclosed sum.

The movie rental chain went into receivership in late April, blaming the growth in online streaming and piracy for diminished profits, as well as large rent bills.

However, the chain’s business, stock and head office in Tallaght have now been taken over by Hilco, who also recently acquired HMV.

Yesterday, Talk of the Town reported that HMV was not going to be reopening in Dundalk but Hilco CEO Paul McGowan’s assessment yesterday that Xtra-vision was “a good fit alongside HMV” suggests that the company may look to merge the two brands together in certain areas.

Xtra-vision already sells a number of DVDs, boxsets and CDs and will be expected to expand on this now that it has become part of Hilco’s international entertainment retail division.

While a small number of store closures are expected, the future of the Dundalk store would appear to be secure. One of Hilco’s outstanding problems is renegotiating store leases with landlords but that would appear not to be an issue locally with Xtra-vision having recently relocated from the Adelphi to the Long Walk.

Previously: HMV reopening – but not in Dundalk

Xtravision’s future in doubt after it goes into receivership

The future of Dundalk’s last DVD and games rental store could be in doubt after Xtravision was placed into receivership this morning.

The company hires 1,024 people nationwide but has seen profits tumble in recent years by a growing number of people turning to online entertainment services such as Netflix.

Xtravision Dundalk recently relocated from the Adelphi building to a unit at the Exchange Building on the Long Walk.

The local outlet is thought to employ around a dozen staff and is one of the few remaining places in town still selling DVDs and boxsets following the closure of HMV earlier this year.

It is the last remaining rental outlet in Dundalk following the closure of various competitors in recent years, including Cassidy’s Supervision, Planet, Green Video and Chartbusters.

Ernst and Young are expected to be appointed receivers today with the business set to remain operating in the short-term in the hope that a buyer can be found.