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Virgin Mega Store closing

Category: Shopping & Products

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Photo of Jennifer L.
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5/19/2007 Jennifer L. says:

ARGH!  I am crushed by this news.  Virgin was my favorite stop on the Michigan Ave crawl.  Where am I going to get import electronica now??  Seriously, if someone knows of a place, I'm all ears.

Virgin will be replaced by a Forever 21, which makes me shudder.
http://www.chicagotrib...

(yes, I know half of you will want to say that big corporate record stores suck anyway, but this was the lesser of all the evils)

  1. 5/19/2007

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  2. Photo of Christopher G.
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    5/19/2007 Christopher G. says:

    That was my favorite too! That really bums me out in a bad bad way. I'm at a loss! Grammaphone does not cut it for cds. I do'nt know what I'll do!  First no Tower - now Virgin! Wow - and this is a major city... the music business must be in seriously bad shape. I too will need to find a place for import electronica... and I have no clue. Reckless- nah... ?????????????????
    What is the alternative?! Do I have to freaking drive to a suburb to browse for music?

  3. Photo of Jessica M.
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    5/19/2007 Jessica M. says:

    No way!  Michigan Avenue gets more and more useless every year.  I wonder if they're closing stores in other cities?  If not, that looks kind of bad for Chicago, in a rinky-dink sort of way...even Denver has a Virgin.  

    I have to admit, even though it's a huge chain I did enjoy shopping there.

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  5. Photo of Jessica M.
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    5/19/2007 Jessica M. says:

    Also...Forever 21? !  Are you kidding me?  Do we really need yet another place to buy slutty ill-fitting clothes that will fall apart in the wash?

  6. Photo of Jennifer L.
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    5/19/2007 Jennifer L. says:

    I know, that's the part that really kills me.  If they were replacing Virgin with something cool, it wouldn't be so bad, but....Forever 21?  What's next, an Auntie Ann's pretzel store and a Sunglasses Hut?

    BTW, the only other store they're closing is in Salt Lake.

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  8. Photo of Jessica M.
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    5/19/2007 Jessica M. says:

    Great...America's third largest city, yet we're on a par with Salt Lake.

    It's like when the papers fawn over Jennifer Aniston being in town.  Have some pride, Chicago!

  9. Photo of Alexzandra A.
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    5/19/2007 Alexzandra A. says:

    Actually they are just moving. I just finished working for Virgins corporate sec. and they were only planning to switch locations.
    Also...there are plenty of awesome independent record stores in Chicago that have even better imported electronica.

  10. Photo of Jennifer L.
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    5/19/2007 Jennifer L. says:

    Alexandra, what stores?  I'm interested to know.

    Where are they moving to?  The article seemed to indicate that they're closing due to low sales.

  11. Photo of Jacob J.
    5/19/2007 Jacob "Chitown Masala" J. says:

    While there might be lots of other small stores with electronica......   Virgin has got the most listening stations playing it and other genres... also Virgin has got listening stations in decent condition.  

    I used to go to Grammophone..  but I hate waiting!!  And Tower is gone..  WTF!

  12. Photo of John B.
    5/19/2007 John "Lighten Up, Francis" B. says:

    While the Chicago and Salt Lake stores are the only ones Virgin is closing right now, it has closed 7 stores over the past year. Leaving only 11 stores till operating in the US.  2 in New York, 4 in southern California, and 5 scattered through the US (San Francisco, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, and Phoenix -- some odd locations). I imagine the rent killed it here -- that store was 60% wasted space.

  13. Photo of Vaughn C.
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    5/19/2007 Vaughn "doublewhiskeycokenoice" C. says:

    Where are they moving to? Virgin is one of the commercial chains I somewhat respect and--like Jennifer said--it's definitely an oasis on the Mag Mile.

    For imported electronica, which genres? With retail taking such hard hits these days, mailorder's definitely stepped up. Have you thought about contacting the distributors directly to see if they sell to any online merchants?

    Who shopped at Tower? I went often on my lunch break, but never could fathom paying $18+ on CDs I could get for much cheaper elsewhere.

  14. Photo of Jennifer L.
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    5/19/2007 Jennifer L. says:

    Oh, the stuff I like is fairly mainstream as far as imported electronica goes (i.e. Hed Kandi) but I liked being able to browse, discover new stuff, and most importantly, the listening stations.  Yeah, I know I can do a lot of that online, but I like going into the store.

    When online shopping first started up ten years ago, my dad predicted it would put brick-and-mortar places out of business.  I scoffed at the time.  Maybe he was onto something...

  15. Photo of Jacob J.
    5/23/2007 Jacob "Chitown Masala" J. says:

    I was at Virgin Mega last night.  Spoke with a few store associates and a manager.  They do not know anything about the store moving to a new location.  They said.. when they close thats it.  They also mentioned more closings and that there may be only TWO locations left open nationwide.  1 in NY and 1 in Cali.

    In a fit, I over bought and walked out with two import trance cds and two others.

  16. Photo of Alice S.
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    5/23/2007 Alice "~itadakimasu~" S. says:

    Vaughn -- I shopped at Tower, because they had a pretty good classical section, and would special order. I miss it. I still buy imports, but online (not just classical of course). But I do miss the brick and mortar stores sometimes, of course, just like Jennifer L.

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  19. 5/23/2007 Cy D. says:

    They closed the Virgin Megastore in Sacramento, CA and another small city I forget.

    It's the fate of the Tower Records knock-offs....

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  21. Photo of Vaughn C.
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    5/24/2007 Vaughn "doublewhiskeycokenoice" C. says:

    I mean, if Tower as a chain couldn't sustain itself, who knows if the others will.

    James, to answer your question... yes and no. It's pretty complicated. The reason why places like Tower, Coconuts, and Virgin had excessive prices was because the RIAA pushed it to those limits. Remember the class action price gouging lawsuit a few years back?

    The bigger chains never disputed it. The only one that did was Best Buy, who sell their CDs under wholesale as a loss leader to entice folks to buy DVD players/washers/etc. This REALLY killed the independent record store (when I worked at one, we used to go to Best Buy when they opened to get new releases because their rates were lower than our distributors).

    The only thing I had against Blockbuster is that they took over an indie in my hometown that allowed you to purchase a CD, open it, and then return it. That, and their selection really sucked.

  22. Photo of Mark J.
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    5/24/2007 Mark J. says:

    Well I'd imagine that despite the size of Tower and Virgin records .. that it would still be pretty tough doing business when a large brick & mortar chain like Best Buy decides to make CDs & DVDs their loss leaders.  Internet sites like Amazon, selling most of their music/movies for 30-40% off retail puts the squeeze on even tighter.

    Competition and the changing consumer market has made a permanent TKO of stores like tower/virgin coconuts.  It kinda sucks because I have a lot of fond memories of hanging out at tower records around 11:30pm.  It's tough getting by on rare imports though...

  23. Photo of Phillie P.
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    5/30/2007 Phillie "smokin' fish" P. says:

    Man. I have one less place to go to during lunch. I blame the interweb!!

  24. Photo of Brandon H.
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    5/30/2007 Brandon H. says:

    Don't you people use iTunes? I still don't understand their business model.. $17 for a CD?  It's not 1999 anymore.

  25. Photo of Jennifer L.
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    5/30/2007 Jennifer L. says:

    No, "you people" don't always use iTunes because a lot of what Virgin's import room had isn't available on iTunes.

  26. Photo of Brandon H.
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    5/30/2007 Brandon H. says:

    Ahh.. I get it. I have friends like that.

  27. Photo of carrie m.
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    5/30/2007 carrie m. says:

    i'm with you phil...one less place to go on my lunch break - where to go, what to do?

  28. Photo of Phillie P.
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    5/30/2007 Phillie "smokin' fish" P. says:

    I'm tired of going to H&M and Water Tower Place... I did go to the Gap today and picked up a sweet pair of jeans for $13. Ugh. Tower now Virgin. Next thing you know Rock Records... wait... is that place still open?

  29. Photo of Simeren S.
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    5/31/2007 Simeren S. says:

    Forever 21, really? I heard it was going to be a Best Buy!

  30. Photo of Jennifer L.
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    6/1/2007 Jennifer L. says:

    The tribune article linked in the first post says Forever 21.

  31. Photo of Rocky B.
    6/1/2007 Rocky "youtube.com/rockybarragan" B. says:

    Bummer. I really like Virgin. That's where I get most of my dvds from. :( To have it replaced by a Forever 21 just makes me want to vomit.

  32. Photo of Phillie P.
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    6/1/2007 Phillie "smokin' fish" P. says:

    And I hear that a Target might be placed in the old Lord & Taylor in Water Tower. Oh man.

  33. Photo of G S.
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    6/1/2007 G S. says:

    Music distribution is all going electronic.  Record stores will become a thing of the past.

    A GREAT site for downloading electronica is http://www.beatport.com.  Very well organized site, easy to use, and a HUGE database of music.

    -G

  34. Photo of Vaughn C.
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    6/1/2007 Vaughn "doublewhiskeycokenoice" C. says:

    Rock Records is still open, but... who really goes there? Even as an independent, I was never impressed with that store.

    Reckless, however, opened up a downtown location:
    http://www.yelp.com/bi...

  35. Photo of Phillie P.
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    6/1/2007 Phillie "smokin' fish" P. says:

    You know what would be nice replacement? UNIQLO. The Japanese version of H&M.  Now that would be GREAT!

  36. Photo of Jennifer L.
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    6/1/2007 Jennifer L. says:

    Could girls with butts and boobs find clothing there?  I'm not a large person, but I certainly don't have the figure of a Japanese woman.

  37. Photo of Brandi S.
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    6/1/2007 Brandi S. says:

    I get music off of I-Tunes when I only want one song but when I want a compilation I will go buy a CD.  Plus I like to have the hard copy of music so if my computer crashes it is always with me.  Burned CD's scratch too easy.

  38. Photo of Caroline A.
    6/1/2007 Caroline A. says:

    While I'm bummed that Virgin store is going, Uniqlo would be fantastic.  Just came back from the NYC store.  
    Jennifer.. they have everything even for girls with boobs and a butt :)

  39. Photo of Caroline A.
    6/1/2007 Caroline A. says:

    I just reread your original post.  Forever 21???  UGHH.

  40. Photo of Kathleen O.
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    6/1/2007 Kathleen O. says:

    Everything I own is a knit.  If I get something structured, I have to have the waist taken in every time.  There is no such thing as a "classic white shirt" for me.  Honestly, I don't mean to look trampy, that's just how clothes fit me.

  41. Photo of Justin W.
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    6/1/2007 Justin "Viva la Revolución" W. says:

    "Here's what I never understood. Did the distribution/record companies force places like Tower, Coconuts, Virgin to sell their CD's at excessive prices?"

    Thanks for explaining James's question.

    Whenever I saw those prices, I would flip.  Honestly, I would never set foot in any of those stores (Virgin, Sam Goody, Coconuts, Tower, FYE, etc.) due to the crazy prices.  It's an insult to charge that much.

    I didn't know Best Buy and other places like Circuit City operated at a loss with those.  Interesting.  As much as I didn't like those chain stores, I respect them more for it and it would actually make me want to go to their store to buy appliances for helpin' me out.  I hate to hurt small business...but what's a man to do?

  42. Photo of Phillie P.
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    6/1/2007 Phillie "smokin' fish" P. says:

    I don't know. I'm pretty sure you can. If you can fit H&M, then you can fit Uniqlo

  43. Photo of Kathleen O.
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    6/1/2007 Kathleen O. says:

    If H&M fit across my chest, I have to take the waist in about 3 inches - if they even HAVE anything that will fit my chest (I'm a 16-18 on top and a 10 on the bottom).  

    Curse my peasant heritage!  Curses to the non-organic milk upon which I was raised.  I agree with Marilyn in Some Like It Hot.  At least clothes hang well on flat-chested girls.

  44. Photo of Phillie P.
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    6/1/2007 Phillie "smokin' fish" P. says:

    Sometimes the best place for clothes is on the floor next to the bed. I just had to say that, didn't I.

  45. Photo of Jenna B.
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    6/1/2007 Jenna B. says:

    I love forever 21! I am so excoted for the XXL store chain to open up. I think it is a great addition to the mag mile.

  46. Photo of Jennifer L.
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    6/1/2007 Jennifer L. says:

    Jenna, you're kidding...right?

  47. Photo of Jacob J.
    7/6/2007 Jacob "Chitown Masala" J. says:

    7/7/07 is the last day.  And Jennifer they still have some electronica!

  48. Photo of Brad C.
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    7/6/2007 Brad "apocalypse tomorrow" C. says:

    Heh. Last time I bought something at Virgin Megastore was when I had a $5 coupon from Effin Vodka.   Actually I used a -$5 one once and 2x -$5 on one purchase once.  

    I miss the Tower store.  It was someplace to hang out before Neo opened for the evening.  Got the best recorded performance of Beethoven's Ninth there. (even if it was pretty cruddy sonically).

  49. Photo of Patty V.
    7/6/2007 Patty "Leopard Lady" V. says:

    Poor Kathleen O.!! Big knockers, brains and talent. Oh, heavy is the head...........

  50. Photo of Jennifer L.
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    7/6/2007 Jennifer L. says:

    Thanks Jacob J - I stocked up the other day.

    Oh Virgin, we hardly knew ye...

  51. Photo of Will W.
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    7/6/2007 Will "Life is not all beer and skittles" W. says:

    I second the suggestion for a Uniqlo or even better, let's get a Zara opened up here.
    I also recommend that site beatport for electronica music.

  52. Photo of Manuel V.
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    8/2/2007 Manuel "Space Nomad" V. says:

    What a pitty!..F@#k!!! THE BEST BEN SHERMAN T-SHIRTS ON SALE IN USA AND ARE CLOSING??? SUCKS! I'll miss the days of buying MIXMAG or DJ MAG here....

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