Attention music shoppers
Friday, November 30, 2007
Score one for the chain retailers. BeBop Music Shop, which since 1981 had been a stalwart independent enclave for guitars and drums and any accessories that make them go bang, has shuttered its Government Street doors. Owner Chris DeJohn says business at the store had dropped off in the past few years because of competition from large national chains. BeBop’s numbers first dipped into the red in July.
“It was a tough decision,” DeJohn says. “But at the same time it wasn’t.” Easing the decision was an attractive offer from New Orleans guitarist Eric Lindell for DeJohn to drum with his band, a hotly-tipped R&B combo that tours steadily.
DeJohn had owned BeBop since 2001, and retains the rights to the name. He admits he may open another instrument shop under that banner in the future.
Doug Gay of Baton Rouge Music Studios expressed some interest in purchasing the BeBop building near Baton Rouge Magnet High School, but DeJohn has not yet confirmed any plans.
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