Legendary California-based record store Amoeba Music is, like many other record stores and businesses, taking a massive hit as COVID-19 rages on. Amoeba Music is currently seeking $400,000 through GoFundMe to stay in business, and so far they're doing pretty well!
Donate here and read the COVID-19 portion of the store's statement below.
We have weathered many storms-911, recessions, the Internet, downloading and streaming. But we don’t know that we can weather the COVID-19 storm.
All three of our stores have been closed since mid-March and must remain closed indefinitely. With no way to generate income, our savings are running out, with bills and rent coming due, and with a primary commitment to our staff, who we are trying to keep as healthy and financially sound as possible.
We’d like to reassure you that we’re doing everything we can to keep Amoeba going, and to position ourselves to play a vital role in what is for now a very uncertain future.
We know how much we’re all going to need Amoeba again, this oasis of music, where we can find each other once more.
We’re exploring every possible means of support, including federal and local grants and loans. But these funds are not guaranteed to come in, and they won’t meet the needs of our short-term future.
So, we most humbly ask for your help. We know that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for everyone, and we understand that there are many individuals and organizations in need.
If you are in a position to help us, we would be incredibly grateful to receive that support.
Any donation to this campaign will contribute to the cash resources we need to deal with the immediate future, to take care of our staff of over 400 Amoebites, and to allow Amoeba to continue operations.
Your donations will also greatly help us finance Amoeba’s upcoming move to our new location in Hollywood this fall.
And, if you could let others know about this campaign, that would be very much appreciated, as well.
Without the physical manifestation of music, we are one electromagnetic storm away from having our culture wiped out. We will not let that happen. We are the keepers of that flame; as are you.
Though, we’re dark now, Amoeba is still there, waiting for the day when our doors can be opened again to welcome everyone back inside to celebrate the joy of what moves our souls the most: Music.
Until then, keep the faith.
Listen to Louie and Billie (Holiday or Eilish), Miles and Coltrane, Thundercat and Bootsy, Sabbath and Zeppelin, the Stones and the Beatles, Hank and Patsy, Kanye and Cardi, Otis, Prince, Gram, Django, Amy, Tyler, Sun Ra, John Prine… whoever else moves you.
And know we miss you all so much, and long for the day we can all gather again.
Thanks, as always, for all your support.
Dave and Marc
P.S.
Again, we know these are such hard times for everyone. It is a reversal for us to ask for assistance rather than give it, but these are challenging times, and we truly need your help.
We do so with deep respect and gratitude to all of our customers.
Thank you.
Amoeba Music has also provided us with tons of great record shopping content over the years as well with their What's In My Bag? series. If you've never seen any of those, check out a few below!
