(Photo: Corinne Durand)
Another bites the dust… on Record Store Day, no less. Deadly Dragon Sound System, a mecca of Jamaican vinyl, has announced that it will close after April 16, since its landlord has declined to renew its lease. The store was founded 11 years ago by Jeremy Freeman (aka Scratch Famous) and Jason DeBeck (Selector DJ), who got their start in Chicago and moved to New York to produce shows and throw parties at spots like Happy Ending, APT and Pianos. In 2005, they opened the shop on Forsyth Street, packing the tiny, off-the-beaten-path nook with some 500,000 sleeves of ska, reggae, and dancehall. Here’s the goodbye message, which indicates the store will soldier on online while looking for a new space.
(Photo: Corinne Durand)
Dear All —
It is with heavy hearts but positive spirits that I have to announce that our new landlords have decided not to renew our lease for our store front at 102 Forsyth street. Like many small businesses in New York City, we have spent 11 years fighting the good fight against real estate interests more interested in eeking out maximum profit rather than investing in and sustaining the diverse, dynamic and unique communities that used to define New York City.Our final day at the store will be Record Store Day, April 16th. While we search for a new space, our website will continue functioning as per normal.
For the past eleven years, we have been proud to have been part of our Chinatown / Forsyth street neighborhood — we have seen kids grow into adults, we have made lasting friendships with our neighbors and we felt a true part of a vital and inspiring place. We have met so many artists, sound systems, selectors and collectors over the years and cherish the support of the reggae community in New York and throughout the world. The 102 Forsyth space has given us so many wonderful memories and helped to develop so many tight and lasting friendships. We hope the spirit of 102 Forsyth will continue with us when we open a new space in the future.
Once again we want to thank all the customers who have shopped with us over the past eleven years — you have given us so much: support, kindness, knowledge, laughter, beers aplenty and a genuine feeling of being part of a rich and loving community.
Nuff Respect and our sincere thanks,
Deadly Dragon Sound