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Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by singtopher 2012-08-23 10:04:25

http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2012/08/colony-music.html

A true Broadway Institution.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by After Eight 2012-08-23 10:09:02

They had great things, but their prices were out of sight.

Still, it was always fun going in there back in the day.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Huss417 2012-08-23 10:10:23

It was an interesting store to poke around in. But the prices were CRAZY!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by taboo123 2012-08-23 10:17:26

I would go in there in the 80's and 90's to look at their museum pieces and collectibles but never would buy anything because Tower and Virgin Megastore had stuff for half the price.
Sheet music was worth it. But for the last 10 years, sheet music is affordable ( or free) online.

Their memorabilia stuff was hawked on eBay the last few years and truthfully. It was cheaper online as well

That store was crazy expensive and it never went with the times.
Thanks for the memories Colony. But. Really. You were a ripoff.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by nealb1 2012-08-23 10:20:11

That's too bad. Yes, their prices for cds have always been outrageous! They would have the the cast cd for "Jersey Boys" at $25.99, and right down the street Virgin Records would have it for $9.99.

Their sheet music inventory is incredible! It was always a fun place to go in there and look around before or after a show.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by PalJoey 2012-08-23 10:23:12

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by taboo123 2012-08-23 10:25:51

I read somewhere that this year digital sales were higher than cd sales.

RIP CD's

Goodbye youth indeed!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Marianne2 2012-08-23 10:26:32

I went in there a few times. Never bought anything. It was cool to look through everything, but there was never anything I needed that was worth the prices they set. I just am curious to what will end up in there.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by castlestreet 2012-08-23 10:34:37

They were always expensive, and the staff not always the friendliest in the world- but at least they were there! I was so upset when Tower closed, and that left Colony as the only game in the area- its too bad.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by little_sally 2012-08-23 10:35:24

I just hope they don't turn it into another ridiculous store like they did to the Virgin Megastore.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Ed_Mottershead 2012-08-23 10:39:50

I totally agree with Pal Joey. I'll be joining the RIP crowd shortly.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by PalJoey 2012-08-23 10:57:51

I just hope they don't turn it into another ridiculous store like they did to the Virgin Megastore.

You can betcha bottom dollar they will, Sally.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by wonkit 2012-08-23 11:00:22

Expensive but I always seemed to walk out with some sheet music. RIP, Colony. Makes me feel really old.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by castlestreet 2012-08-23 11:01:04

One of the things that bothered me the most about the Virgin Megastore decision what that Disney was all anxious to move their old location to Times Square. My wife and I used to shop at the previous location- on 5th maybe? That Disney store was beautiful and so nice to shop in- the new one that partially took the place of Virgin is not nearly as big and not half as nice. It really is such a shame. The only thing Disney gained by moving was location.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by temms 2012-08-23 11:05:20

I've never bought a CD there in my 19 years of coming to NYC, but I've certainly bought a fair amount of sheet music there. I won't miss it as a record store (though it was always a good browse to see what I should buy at a cheaper store, since they would at least have some interesting rarities to go along with the high prices) but as a sheet music store, particularly for theatre stuff, it's the best place in town.

Perhaps Drama Books or Theater Circle on 45th could pick up some of the sheet music slack, or Sam Ash. I'll miss having a place to browse that more than I will the CDs or records.

Yet another piece of the NYC I grew to love gone. Now there will be absolutely no music stores in Times Square. I never could have imagined such a thing.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by newintown 2012-08-23 11:05:59

A nail salon or Duane Reade would work well there...

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by castlestreet 2012-08-23 11:07:46

There's a Duane Reade literally four doors down

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by newintown 2012-08-23 11:08:38

That's so far...

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Marianne2 2012-08-23 11:11:52

^ It can't be Duane Reade because there is one at the end of that block already. Maybe it could be another H&M? Okay, I don't hate that store. But, they are too damn crowded in NYC.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by winston89 2012-08-23 11:16:40

In all my years of going to the theatre, I think I may have bought something, once there. My father is a big fan of the Grateful Dead, and they had an old vintage Dead concert poster there that I got for him as a gift. Price wise, it wasn't too bad at all.

However, I do remember there was one day a couple of years ago where the weather was crazy outside. Myself and a random group of other people all had the same idea to browse around there to take shelter from the storm. Needless to say, the staff there didn't seem to like that we were there without buying anything. They didn't kick us out or anything, but they sure went out of their way to make us feel rather uncomfortable during our time there.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by someone.else's.story2 2012-08-23 11:30:51

There cds were a rip off, true. But they did have an amazing amount of sheet music. I, too, feel old but can't imagine that store not being there. That's really too bad.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Tom1071 2012-08-23 11:31:12

I only bought music there out of desperation when I needed something for an audition at the last minute. I could never afford anything there. They were always between $3-$5 above suggested retail. I could never justify it when I knew there were less expensive options out there.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 11:38:37

It's the perfect size for a Bank of America.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by ACL2006 2012-08-23 11:41:13

it'll likely be a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 11:45:17

Maybe a KFC/DD/BaskinRobbins triple combo!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by newintown 2012-08-23 11:48:36

A Hot Topic.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 11:49:14

I'd actually kill for a BUCKLE to open up in NYC.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by jv92 2012-08-23 11:49:44

Yes, Colony was overpriced. But I have fond memories of purchasing sheet music there, or just stopping in for fun to see what they had.

Of course, I would hope that it's replaced by something that's not a Duane Reade, Starbucks, Dunkin or Chase. But that seems unlikely.

I guess I better get used to not buying CDs anymore.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Auggie27 2012-08-23 11:54:10

Chick Fil-A.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 11:55:04

LOL

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by jv92 2012-08-23 12:10:16

I wonder if they'll have any sales or discounts for their last weeks.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 12:10:56

LOL-ER

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by jv92 2012-08-23 12:12:11

WE'RE CLOSING!
EVERYTHING MUST GO!
(At full price.)

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by perfectlymarvelous 2012-08-23 12:17:04

This makes me really sad...their CDs and such are overpriced but I used to go in to look at sheet music and would occasionally buy something. They were one of the last vestiges of actual New York in Times Square...that is to say, a non-corporate business. How much of that is even left now?

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by jv92 2012-08-23 12:23:50

BRING THE HOOKERS BACK TO TIMES SQUARE! DOWN WITH OLIVE GARDEN AND STARBUCKS!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by castlestreet 2012-08-23 12:28:40

^ my favorite post of the week!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by jv92 2012-08-23 12:32:28

Aww. I'm touched.

I mean, I like crappy faux-Italian food as much as the next guy (not really), but still...

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 12:36:45

I want Olive Garden now.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by taboo123 2012-08-23 13:10:02

Is there a never-ending pasta sale?
I'll take that and red lobster biscuits any day

And hookers.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by GlindatheGood22 2012-08-23 13:13:06

NOOOO. This place is such a chunk of my theatre-going history.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by ChanceEncounter 2012-08-23 13:18:01

Yes, a true broadway institution and like all other broadway institutions it centered around price gouging.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Pammylicious 2012-08-23 13:42:45

So accustomed to seeing this when walking up Broadway. I'll miss it. California Pizza , another Dallas BBQ, Miller's Ale House or Chili's. I am pretty sure it will be some sort of chain restaurant. Large space in the heart of Times Square. Win Win

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Mister Matt 2012-08-23 13:48:53

It was fun to look around, but their prices just made me laugh. I mourned the loss of Footlight, but I won't miss the rip-off that is Colony.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2012-08-23 13:50:45

Its so sad a place so many people say they wouldn't spend money at is closing!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by ChiChi 2012-08-23 14:47:00

RIP Colony.

RIP Sam Goody's.

RIP records.

RIP my youth.

I'm right there with you.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by hushpuppy 2012-08-23 14:49:32

I'll miss the animated neon sign: "I Found it at The Colony" with the 50's girl holding up an LP

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by newintown 2012-08-23 14:56:57

RIP The Gaiety

RIP The Show Palace

RIP Rounds

RIP Tower Records

RIP Palladium

Wow, one could go on and on and on!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 14:59:27

Good bye. Good bye Colony. Goodbye Mom & Pop Store. Good bye to whores tricking and Mama's sunflowers. And Howard Johnsons. Oh, Times Square you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Broadway Joe 2012-08-23 15:04:32

They should turn it into a Dairy Queen.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 15:05:28

I'll always have a place at the Dairy Queen.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by ChanceEncounter 2012-08-23 15:07:18

Are you sure you aren't the Dairy Queen?

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by millie_dillmount 2012-08-23 15:37:57

"I wonder if they'll have any sales or discounts for their last weeks."

Aka the price you would normally see anywhere else.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Amalia Balash 2012-08-23 16:28:38

I found some great stuff there, but would have spent more (even at their prices) if they'd been just a bit better organized. I'd leave in frustration and look for things online.

But I'm sadder about Dress Circle closing in London. That was always a highlight of my trips and I found amazing stuff there and at Tower's London store, for both Broadway and West End shows.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Kad 2012-08-23 17:25:14

Yes, it's sad... but they can't compete with the cheaper and direct-to-your-computer digital media. You can find virtually anything you need on the internet for a fraction of the price.

It's a keep up or get out kind of market. Most of you lamenting it essentially admit it was nothing more than a novelty.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Mister Matt 2012-08-23 17:42:33

And Howard Johnsons.

God, that place was gross.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 17:46:27

They might have been gross, but holy God those clams are amazing.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Mister Matt 2012-08-23 18:03:31

That's what JerseyGirl2 said.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 18:04:07

<0>

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by behindthescenes2 2012-08-23 19:06:46

Very sad to see it go, but real estate developers control Manhattan for sure. Destroy and rebuild - it will be the city that is never finished

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by CarlosAlberto 2012-08-23 19:10:02

I used to wander back and forth 49th Street from the Colony to the Sam Goody's outlet near 8th Avenue, looking at the full-price records at Colony, hoping to find a bargain at Sam Goody's.

RIP Colony.

RIP Sam Goody's.

RIP records.

RIP my youth

^ What PalJoey posted was me in my youth as well. I went to Graphic Arts on 49th between 9th and 10th from '82 to '86 and Colony was one of my fave haunts....

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Mr Roxy 2012-08-23 19:55:15

Joey you forgot one of thr brst

R.I.P Footlight

God help us if they close Strand Books

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by justoldbill 2012-08-23 19:59:55

I hope this doesn't foretell the end of the Brill Building entirely. That WOULD be a New York tragedy.
Don't count on Sam Ash for sheet music; they're on the way out, as well.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by broadwayjim42 2012-08-23 20:18:51

I hadn't bought anything there since the early 80's and it seemed to shrink every time I went in, but there are some good memories.

Agree on the loss of HMV, then Tower, then Virgin. Here's hoping that J & R isn't going anywhere soon.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by NotAnotherSN 2012-08-23 20:33:29

I don't think Sam Ash is going anywhere. There's really no digital equivalent other than the Sam Ash website. Physical instruments will always be needed.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by sephyr 2012-08-23 22:26:01

The 2nd time I went to NYC I wandered into the infamous Colony Music, surveyed the place, and proceeded to make my way out. I wanted to buy something, they had a great selection, but the prices were cra-zy lol Sad they are going out of business though!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by uncageg 2012-08-23 22:30:12

Went in once and walked out. Just read a fun book called Meet the Anna's that it was semi-featured in. I pass it every day but it is way too expensive.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by jv92 2012-08-23 22:32:11

Some of the staff at Colony could be unpleasant, but I stopped in once after seeing APPLAUSE at Encores!, and the clerk behind the counter saw my program and asked, "Oh! How was it? Was Christine in it?" and we struck up a nice chat.

If the Brill Building goes entirely, THAT would be a crime.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by After Eight 2012-08-23 22:48:36

Ed,

You had better stick around a long, long, time. You're the best poster here.

"And Howard Johnsons.

God, that place was gross"

I don't think it was gross at all. It had a faded charm, which only became more pronounced with the passage of time. The ice cream sodas were terrific, as was their ice cream cake roll.

I miss it.

Also, since we're fondly reminiscing here, there's a free exhibition at the NY Public Library about lunch in NY. For those who remember eating at the automat before or after matinees, you'll find artifacts from the restaurant, as well as a wealth of facts about it, and a great deal more. This exhibit will trigger a lot of memories.

Make a trip to the library.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by TimesSquareRegular 2012-08-23 23:25:20

I've lived within a 5 minute walk of Colony for many years, and have NEVER bought a thing there. I even quit stopping in to browse, because it was becoming increasingly difficult to restrain myself when I'd see some unsuspecting tourist paying outrageous prices for items easily available for much less elsewhere.

Their idea of a going-out-of-business sale will probably be to INCREASE prices since "the stock won't be available once they close".

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by CapnHook 2012-08-23 23:40:28

In-n-Out?
Bojangles?
Krispy Kreme?

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-08-23 23:41:19

You know, I'd kill for an Arbys to move in there.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by allofmylife 2012-08-24 01:16:10

A visit to Strand Books, a quick glance in the bins at The Colony, one hour at Bloomies, dinner at Beefsteak Charlies and then off to the theater. That was Saturday on my quarterly visits to New York in the mid seventies. Good times.

I actually still have some unopened packages of socks from Macys from that time. (And every one of the programs plus the big stack I'd glom after each show.) Good times indeed.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by ZiggyCringe 2012-08-24 01:29:37

Colony? No great loss.

But I STILL miss Howard Johnson's! Those clams WERE amazing!!!

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by Mr Roxy 2012-08-24 07:17:05

Read the landlord wanted an increase in rent that was astronomical. This probably is main reason why it closing.

Colony Music to close after 60 years of business
Posted by EponineAmneris 2012-08-24 07:55:42

This makes me sad

Visiting them on all my trips was on of the highlights