Record Shack speakers that once played African music onto the sidewalk across from the Apollo Theater in Harlem are now stored in a Yonkers warehouse.
“It’s a terrible feeling inside,” said Record Shack owner Sikhulu Shange.
Shange has fought his eviction since February when his landlord, The United House of Prayer, refused to renew his lease. During this same time he helped lead protests against Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s rezoning plan for 125th Street. The City Council approved the plan in March. Since then, real estate values along Harlem’s main business corridor have dramatically increased and long-time tenants like Shange are being forced out.
On July 24, Shange returned to his storefront at 274 W. 125th Street, less than an hour after a Manhattan Housing Court judge upheld the eviction order for the business he operated for 41 years.
“The city marshal was right behind me and told me to close the store,” Shange said. “Then the landlord’s brokers said, ‘we have a truck arranged to move your stuff.’”
Within about two hours, Shange said his records, CDs and cassette tapes of oldies, contemporary hits, gospel, jazz, and music from Africa and the Caribbean islands were packed up by a fleet of workers who took no inventory of the property he estimates is worth $200,000.
“They told me to take whatever personal stuff I have and leave,” Shange said.
The Record Shack was the last black-owned music store in Harlem.
“People came to the Record Shack to feel the ambiance of the Harlem community,” Shange said. “All that is going to be jeopardized.
”More than a business, his store was a cultural outlet, a tourist attraction and an anchor when the world-famous community went through hard times.
“The battle now is to get the goods back,” Shange said.
He said the brokers hired by the United House of Prayer want him to pay $12,000 for the moving and storage of the store’s inventory. He estimates moving it back to Manhattan could cost as much as $3,000. If he does not retrieve it within 30 days of his eviction, he said the items could be put up for auction.
The weekend after the eviction, Shange joined nearly 20 members of the Coalition to Save Harlem in front of what used to be the Record Shack and passed out fliers calling for support of the store. Many passersby stopped to ask what had happened, and said they opposed the landlord’s decision. The coalition is planning a town hall meeting, but no date has been set.
Shange also met with Council member Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn) and reached out to State Senator Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan), but said nothing has been worked out to help him retrieve his property.
His landlord refuses to comment on plans for the storefront. The awning that once displayed the Record Shack’s name is now painted over.
“It is an onslaught,” Shange said. “They feel they have the upper hand.”




Comments
it's a little dishonest to say his was the last black owned record store in harlem. his was the last record store in harlem, full stop. the record industry is a dying business.....
They are making way for the corrupt corporates from lower manhattan. They want all that real estate and will tear down harlem to get it. When it comes down to it, if the people don't organize and stage major protests. Those rich business interests with all the money will win.
See the shops that are gobbling up the block. See American Apparel. Lane Bryant has not one reference to a dark skinned beauty in the window. 3 model's pictures are in the window - from light to white. Wake up. The name Record Shack ha been erased from the awning over the store and systematically blackness is being erased from Harlem. It is "Community" which is being destroyed.
Below is what I just sent to Lane Bryant. Go see the windows. See what is over American Apparel and what is in your face with Lane Bryant.
After years of diversity training workshops and marketing changes to reflect the customer base, I am shocked to see that Lane Bryant just doesn't get it. Why are there models in the window of the 125th St. Lane Bryant that do not reflect the population of customers? Do you think we are going back to 1950?
I asked this of the manager and she said she had no power over what was placed in the window. Then who does? Either this was done intentionally or was an oversight but I think only having a very light Latino woman and not one black or even brown skinned woman is something that must be addressed.
If you fail to project images of black (and I mean black) beauty in your window and in your store ads then I must tell you that I will not shop there any longer and I will now forward this email to my entire listserve as well as many of us who do use the LinkShare network.
This will also go to the media throughout Harlem and NY to see the window and forward the question throughout the Charming Shoppes channel.
The ball is in your court. Fix this oversight.
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