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Rough Trade Expands Presence with New Location in Rockefeller Center
Rough Trade, the renowned retail chain specializing in music and merchandise, is set to open a second store in Rockefeller Center, enhancing its footprint in one of New York City’s most iconic complexes. This announcement was made on January 23, marking an exciting development for music enthusiasts in the area.
The original store, located on the Sixth Avenue side, will be rebranded as Rough Trade Above. It will continue to focus on new vinyl records, while the new location, named Rough Trade Below, will offer an expansive 4,000-square-foot environment featuring a diverse range of products, including band merchandise, audio equipment, and a substantial collection of new and used CDs and vinyl records, along with movies and collectibles.
Situated in the underground retail concourse connecting Rockefeller Center to the B/D/F/M subway station, Rough Trade Below is strategically located to attract a multitude of visitors. The concourse, also referred to as Under 30 Rock, serves office workers and tourists alike, contributing to the overall foot traffic that the Rockefeller Center complex experiences—an estimated 35 million visitors annually.
While a specific grand opening date has yet to be announced, Rough Trade aims to launch this new location in the spring, potentially aligning with the festivities of Record Store Day in April.
Stephen Godfroy, co-owner of Rough Trade, expressed enthusiasm for the new venture, highlighting the growing demand from music fans throughout New York City. “Establishing a hub for counterculture in midtown Manhattan has been remarkably successful, and we are eager to nurture an even stronger creative community as we move forward,” he stated in a press release.
With the new space’s larger size, Rough Trade plans to reinstate its popular in-store performances, a hallmark of its original Brooklyn location that ran from 2013 until 2021. This new venue’s layout allows for larger crowds, enabling Rough Trade to host a wider array of performances featuring both well-known artists and emerging talent across various music genres. Notable performers at the original store included Green Day, Coldplay, Charlie XCX, and De La Soul.
Godfroy emphasized the store’s mission to bridge the gap between artists and fans, stating, “Creating a more significant destination for music lovers is an exhilarating prospect, particularly for our intimate live events where exciting artists perform to a crowd eager to support them.”
At the previous Rough Trade location, performances were held in a designated area separated from the retail space. However, Rough Trade Below will incorporate a performance space directly within the store, enhancing the experience for both artists and attendees. This setup is designed to foster a sense of intimacy and connection, making live performances truly special and memorable.
Godfroy aims to mirror the success of the Rough Trade East flagship store in London, which has established itself as a vibrant cultural hub.
Since its arrival at Rockefeller Center, Rough Trade has contributed significantly to public events, including the annual iNDIEPLAZA music festival and a quarterly concert series at the prestigious Rainbow Room. Their presence has invigorated the complex, as noted by EB Kelly, Tishman Speyer’s Senior Managing Director and head of Rockefeller Center, who acknowledged the store’s impact as a cultural landmark within the revitalized space.
“We welcome the expansion of Rough Trade into a second location, enhancing our Under 30 Rock retail offerings. In just three years, their current store has become an essential cultural touchstone, testament to the community’s appetite for live music and quality music retail,” Kelly remarked.
With this new opening, Rough Trade will increase its number of stores to ten, with a mix of locations across the U.K., including four in London, and one in Berlin, in addition to the two in New York City.
Source
www.billboard.com