Downtown Tech Landmark J&R Music Closes For Massive Makeover

by | Apr 10, 2014 | News | 0 comments

J&R Music and Computer World on Park Row, Lower Manhattan

J&R Music and Computer World on Park Row, Lower Manhattan

Downtown’s Landmark destination for all things electronic—J&R Music and Computer World is shutting it’s doors today.

April 10 is J&R’s last day in it’s current incarnation. The store located on the Park Row and will begin a long-term renovation to become “an unprecedented technology Mecca,” according to J&R officials as reported by The New York Daily News.

The electronics and music store was  showing symptoms of dwindling business as early as October , having to cut down on store space and laying-off some employees. Owners Joseph and Rachelle Friedman, who have operated the store since 1971, are closing the doors of what is the final branch of the former local chain.

jr

A rendering of the possible future of J&R when it returns in 2015.

J&R has been a source for the tech and elecronic necessities of Downtown residents for more than 40 years. It was one of the first stores to reopen after the attacks on 9/11. Larger competitors like Best Buy have also made the market more competitive for J&R.

Matthew Hiltzik, spokesman for the Friedmans, said “J&R will continue to sell merchandise online and on Amazon. The couple hopes to reopen the store next year.” However a date has not been set and the design has not been finalized.

Luis Cuevas

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