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.
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