Sick City Records tries to ‘keep the music alive’ as potential closure looms

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Sick City Records is in danger of closing, much like the nearby Button Mash, which is already vacant.

Sick City Records has been a unique spot in Echo Park for almost 20 years, offering a mix of rare vinyl records, vintage band t-shirts, and haircuts. However, rising rent and fewer customers are now threatening to close the shop’s doors.

“This record store is our life’s work,” explained Jesse Lopez, who co-owns the shop and also cuts hair there. “We’ve put twenty years into building this place, and we’re determined to keep it going because we’re passionate about what we do.”

Things have been really tough for us lately. My business partner, Brian Flores, and I are struggling, and it feels like we just can’t catch a break. First, the fires back in January really kept people away for weeks, and then, just when things were starting to pick up with summer tourists – who usually love digging through our records – the ICE raids started happening all over town. It’s been a really challenging year, to say the least.

Flores described the streets as being overrun with cars this summer, often with sirens blaring, seemingly to intimidate people. New data reveals the impact of this environment: 43% of Latino business owners in Los Angeles County have experienced revenue losses of 50% or more since June, according to reports from the L.A. Economic Equity Accelerator and Fellowship and the L.A. County Economic Development Corp.

It was so strange – I was at the shopping center in June, and it was completely empty. I barely saw anyone, not even people walking their dogs. And honestly, looking around, it really struck me that almost everyone there seemed to be an immigrant, like me and so many of my neighbors.

Things were really tough for the record shop last October. We were two months behind on rent, and sales had completely stalled. Even our regular customers from the barber shop weren’t coming around as much. Honestly, it felt like we were seriously facing the possibility of having to close down and just walk away.

Desperate to keep their music space alive, Flores and Lopez have taken several steps, including selling their goods at the monthly Rose Bowl Flea Market, partnering with local artists for fundraising events, and starting an online GoFundMe campaign.

Flores and Lopez opened their shop in 2006 and have always focused on rock, punk, and alternative music. They carry classic bands like the Velvet Underground, the Smiths, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Suede. The shop’s interior matches the music – the walls are covered in posters, t-shirts from bands like Iron Maiden and Suicidal Tendencies line the walls, and valuable items like a sealed Iggy Pop record, a special edition Portishead album, and an autographed Echo & the Bunnymen record are displayed on high shelves.

Flores admitted, glancing around at the partially filled boxes of various types of media, that many items had been stored there for quite some time.

We do as much as we can ourselves – we even make our own buttons and do the silk screening. Right now, we can’t afford to buy expensive, older items. It’s tough when our kids want the latest music and collectors come looking for rare records, but we just don’t have them.

Sick City has broadened its selection beyond its original focus, now offering a wide range of music including country, jazz, and rap. While they carry popular albums like Tyler the Creator’s “Cherry Bomb” and Cocteau Twins’ “Heaven or Las Vegas,” owner Flores emphasizes their continued commitment to local, independent artists – showcasing everything from customer-created music to bands playing local venues and house shows.

They’re most popular with locals during the summer and when visitors come for events like the Coachella festival, which is held nearby.

According to Flores, they haven’t seen many tourists this year. Usually, visitors from places like Australia and Canada ask for recommendations on local L.A. bands to discover. But without those tourists, business remains slow.

From the beginning, this business has been all about celebrating Los Angeles music. It started in 1999 when the founders began selling vintage band t-shirts at the Melrose Trading Post. Back then, most vendors sold typical souvenirs, so they stood out by playing Metallica early in the morning, attracting a younger crowd interested in their unique clothing. They eventually learned to create their own designs using screen printing and expanded their offerings.

After five years of selling their goods at a market, they wanted to create a lasting business centered around music. In 2006, they opened a shop in Silver Lake that combined a barbershop with a small record collection. Even though it was early in the 2000s, they anticipated the growing popularity of vinyl records as younger generations began to appreciate physical music formats.

With the rising popularity of vinyl and events like Record Store Day, sales increased significantly. In 2008, they responded by expanding their record business and moving to their present location in Echo Park.

Building on their success, the record shop began operating as a record label too. Starting in the early 2010s, the owners helped bands made up of their customers and friends release, distribute, and promote their music. Flores and Lopez would offer creative input, like choosing album artwork and track order, and also help book concerts.

Sick City initially worked with a local teenage rock band called the High Curbs. The band members had trouble getting into the venues where they were scheduled to perform. Sick City helped them release their album in 2016. The High Curbs are still active today, regularly touring and releasing new music, and they recently played at the Echo Park Rising music festival this summer.

Flores explained that the band had stopped playing smaller gigs, but they made an exception for Echo Park Rising because they wanted to show their appreciation for their fans. The show was packed, and the band really felt the support from the crowd.

When the business was doing really well and they were funding their record label, Flores estimates they earned about $8,000 each month. Now, they’re bringing in closer to $2,000 a month, with most customers spending around $10 when they visit. One afternoon in November, a few people came into the shop to look at the vinyl records, but only one person actually bought something.

We’re hoping to expand and put on more shows, featuring a wider range of bands. We’ve hosted events at venues like Los Globos, the Silverlake Lounge, and the Redwood Bar and Grill. However, everything requires funding. Putting out those records was a significant expense, but we managed to make it happen.

Flores and Lopez ran both stores until 2020, when they combined the two businesses into a single location.

I’ve been a big fan of Sick City Records for years, and I’m really worried about them. Their rent has been steadily climbing, especially since the pandemic hit. They used to pay $1,800 for their space, but now it’s up to $3,500! It’s heartbreaking to see how much Echo Park has changed, and how gentrification is squeezing out small businesses like theirs. The owner, Flores, told me he’s watched so many places close down in the almost 20 years they’ve been on Sunset Boulevard, and it’s just awful to think Sick City Records might be next.

Flores mentioned that a few small coffee shops, including Woodcat, are still open. However, Spacedust, a clothing store, and Cosmic Vinyl have both closed. Cosmic Vinyl did shut down in 2018, but it recently reopened in a new spot in Eagle Rock.

Parking is a real problem, and it’s frustrating that rent keeps going up. Still, Echo Park has always been a popular and desirable place to live.

Sick City Records has several events planned before the end of the year to raise money. On December 13th, they’re hosting an art show called “Hold On to Your Friends” at their shop, with music from DJs, art from local artists, and vendors selling their goods. Everything raised at the event will go towards keeping Sick City Records open.

Flores expressed hope that people would continue to support them, explaining that their goal is to nurture the local music scene and maintain a positive atmosphere. They’re working to rebuild and are committed to offering high-quality products they can be proud of.

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2025-12-09 04:32