Help KEep Indie alive

Hello All, this is Jesse at the Groove.

Michael and I have found ourselves in an all to common situation affecting many small businesses in a rapidly growing Nashville. Our landlord is selling the property we currently occupy. This part of our story is not unique. However, this is the first opportunity the Groove has had to buy our property as we have "right of first refusal". Also, not singular to us, is the asking price for the property. Nashville is a hot market and while that is great for all business, it does create hardships for small businesses such as ours. Many are tasked with coming up with unimaginable amounts to purchase property to continue operating, face exponential increases in rent, are forced to move, or ultimately end up shutting their doors for good. All of that applies to our current situation. We have until Jan. 31st, 2022 to come up with the purchase price, move our store, or close permanently.

Like I said this isn't unique to the Groove, but let me tell you what is unique. We are a true owner run indie record store. Michael and I run all aspects of the business from social media to inventory to booking and planning the events to running the register. You can usually find at least one of us behind the counter and that's what makes it so special.

The Groove is an East Nashville original since its inception in 2007. We love the community and have strived to create a welcoming atmosphere, hold free community events and support local musicians signed and unsigned alike. Our motto since Michael and I took over the shop in Aug 2017 has always been "Where Music is for Everyone". The Groove is an LGBTQ+ owned record store which is why we wanted to create a safe space for all lovers of music in our store. Shockingly, LGBTQ record stores seem to be in the tiniest of minorities and this needs to change. Record stores in their heyday were the places the outcasts and weirdos (if you will) could go and escape. They could be who they wanted to be and listen to the music they wanted to without fear. We love that our customers can walk through the door and feel comfortable and welcome and appreciated. No judgment here just music for all.

The Backyard is host to annual events like our Record Store Day blowout, Fright Night Fridays and Spooky Ghoul Fest in October, artist meet 'n greets, movies, and a place for local kids to take the stage. Events like these are free and help fuel community. These events have also allowed us to give back with fundraisers that have benefitted Second Harvest, Bonaparte Retreats, Tennessee Kidney, and Music Neighbors.

It terrifies me and Michael to have to now ask the community we love so much for help. Our customers are some of the best and without them we wouldn't be here. Over the past few years, it hasn't always been easy but it is our love of community and music that kept us going. In late 2018, I was diagnosed with late-stage chronic kidney disease and by February of 2019 I was in kidney failure and on dialysis. Five days a week for five hours at a time, I went through dialysis. We did this for over a year while running the store. By some miracle, it turned out that Michael was a donor match and he gave me a kidney in July of 2020. At the same time, my mom had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She passed away September of 2020. We kept on through Covid, the medical bills, and rising costs by depleting our personal finances because we love music, we love the store and we love the people who walk through our doors. That is why this one time we have to ask for help keeping the doors open.

Again, we do not like the idea of taking from those who have already shown us so much love and support. In keeping it unique, we have come up with a bit of twist on this gift if you choose to donate. Our desire is to remain open for our customers and community and not to gain financially by this real estate purchase. So, if we meet our goal and purchase the building, those who donated will receive 70% of their donation back if/when we sell the property or close the store, whether that is 5, 15 or 20 years from now. If you do not wish to receive your donation back then it will go to the charity of your choice. This is how it will work: If we sell the property in 15 years and you donated $1000, you would either get back $700 or if you choose that $700 will be donated to a charity of your choosing. We came up with this idea in keeping with the spirit of community. We believe this give back will strengthen our community as long as we remain open and even if we someday close some good will come of that as well. We could never express our love for our customers and all the beautiful relationships that have been brought into our lives. We think (and hope you do as well) that the best way we can show you is to buy this building with your help "where music is for everyone". Hopefully, a wonderful side effect will be keeping just a little bit more of the good old Music City spirit alive.

With gratitude,

The Groove

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About Us

We are proud to be a part of the East Nashville community for over a decade! We've loved creating an environment where all are welcome and music is for everyone. We strive to be a part and give back to this great neighborhood so stop by for a visit. Keep an eye out for events too, they're free and always fun. Come dig through the crates and see what vinyl awaits! We have new and used vinyl, cd's and cassettes.