Independent Limerick record shop appeals for support amid closure threat

Downbeat Records Limerick has appealed for support, sharing that they are under threat of closure.

Frankie O'Mahony of Downbeat Records said online that they are asking locals to support them, as they may not make it to the store's second birthday.

"Anyone who knows me knows I hate getting on here like this, so you know it must be serious," said O'Mahony.

"Last month was really bad for us, and you know it's great to see the sun hitting and all that. But it means that people are around Limerick less and less.

"We don't sell so much online, so we kind of need the Limerick community to come through. If next month is similar to last month, we're gonna struggle to pay the rent. I would say the shop might not make it to its second birthday."

Downbeat Records opened in August 2024 at The Wickham Way, a warehouse-style market of independent stores and stalls, featuring food, coffee, crafts - as well as weekly markets.

The store stocks new and used vinyl records and books, with a particularly strong emphasis on soul, jazz, rock, metal, hip-hop, reggae and world music. There is also a dedicated listening desk in the store for customer use.

"A good record store is about more than the music; it's about the culture and the community," said O'Mahony on the opening of the store.

"I have found that many musicians and artists are stuck in a loop where the only means to gather socially tends to be in late-night venues surrounded by large crowds.

"We hope to welcome anyone with an interest in records and music to stop by and hang out, chat music, buy music and meet other people interested in a wide variety of sounds. We want to provide that space to the local community."