A recent Facebook post sparked rumors that Recycled Records, an iconic Reno music store that has been in business for decades, was closing.
That’s not happening, but the longtime record store will be moving to a new location in the coming months.
We visited the store at 822 S. Virginia St. to speak and learn more with co-owners Eric Jacobson and Kyle Howell.
What actually happens?
Jacobson confirmed to RGJ that Recycled Records is moving south, but declined to give details of the new location until the lease is signed. Recycled Records must vacate the Midtown location by June 1, when the lease ends.
They said they were within days of closing the deal.
Why is Recycled Records moving?
Jacobson said the current rent at 822 S. Virginia St nearly doubled after the building was purchased by an unknown company — unknown because Jacobson and Howell, who have owned the business since 2019, were not notified of the new building owner .
The RGJ was unable to determine who bought the building because the property records viewed by the RGJ did not contain details of the most recent transaction.
A Facebook Marketplace post by Aleks Vetushko, who, according to LinkedIn, is a co-owner of San Francisco-based real estate investment firm West Egg Real Estate, is listing the Recycled Records location for about $7,000 a month in rent. According to a real estate website, Vetushko appears to be the contact for Civil Capital LLC, but he could not be reached to clarify the new ownership.
Jacobson stressed that the decision to relocate was not just motivated by cost.
“We could afford that, but we don’t want that. said Jacobson. “If we hadn’t found a good spot, we would have paid.”
big picture
Recycled Records was among the first arrivals in the burgeoning hip neighborhood that would become Midtown. The company’s departure reflects how much real estate values have changed. So where is Midtown going?
“I have four words for you: bars, tattoos, minimarts, and motels,” Jacobson said.
This story has been updated to clarify that Jacobson and Howell took over the store in 2019.
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