Rough Trade Records has been a staple of London’s music scene for the last 35 years, serving as the go-to shop for acts such as The Smiths and Nirvana, and even splitting off into its own independent record label. Now, the record store is looking to expand to the US with plans to open a store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on November 25th.
According to Billboard, the store is a 15,000 square foot re-purposed warehouse, which will sell only new music in multiple formats. In addition, there will be venue for in-store performances and after-hour ticketed concerts booked by Bowery Presents.
Plans for the store were originally announced in 2012, but were delayed due to “numerous obstacles in the construction planning and building process.” When completed, as Rough Trade co-president Stephen Godfrey explained to Billboard, the store’s “emphasis will be on music the art, not the commodity. In that respect, it will be true to our London stores, places where music and culture lovers of all ages and taste congregate and celebrate what it means to be independent.”
Below, watch a short documentary on Rough Trade’s London location.