Rough Trade NYC To Relocate Store, Close Venue

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 – Rough Trade NYC

Rough Trade NYC, the record store and 250-cap concert venue in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., is closing its current location with plans to relocate the store. 

“As with many businesses right now, the impact of the pandemic has made us rethink our approach, giving us the opportunity to reconsider how best to serve the rapidly increasing number of vinyl lovers in New York – that in spite of the adverse conditions surrounding the pandemic, demand for vinyl is positively booming. As with so many other retail sectors, sales are diverting online, along with the power and reach of online communities, all of which gives us inspiration to become more and not less accessible, to creatively reassess the junction between online and offline interaction. Regretfully, in order for us to freely respond to these new opportunities, we shall have to bid a heartfelt and fond farewell to our beloved, inaugural U.S., Williamsburg premises,” Stephen Godfroy, Rough Trade co-owner, said in a statement. “Having the confidence to relocate and reimagine would not be possible if it weren’t for the warm embrace New York has given us, a city where a love for music inspiringly brings people together and breaks down cultural divides. On behalf of everyone at Rough Trade and The Bowery Presents, we humbly extend our immense and sincere gratitude to all our music loving patrons.”
Rough Trade is still selling records online and the new location has not yet been announced.
The venue, which was operated in partnership with The Bowery Presents, opened in 2013. 
Located at a converted 10,000 square-foot warehouse between Kent and Wythe on North 9th St., Rough Trade hosted Green Day, Gorillaz, Leon Bridges, Halsey, SZA, Margo Price and ODESZA over the years.
The last show reported was Armors with Transviolet on March 6 with 239 tickets sold for a $4,299 gross.
Since The Bowery Presents is partnered with AEG Presents it is likely it would not qualify for the Shuttered Venue Operators grants brought about by the recently passed Save Our Stages Act. A representative for Rough Trade said the business was not at risk of closure and the relocation represented the pursuit of new opportunities, so SOS grants were not considered.