The day the music died

The closing of a beloved downtown Charleston music store isn't really a shock. It's more of a confirmation of the nagging fears you've had all along and the slow realization that even 52.5 Records (561 King St.), as resilient as it has been, still is susceptible to time.

Many will look back fondly on Clay Scales' almost 14-year run, on memories of conversations had and songs from favorite albums, knowing everything changes with time.

Clay Scales has always known this. It is how he has adapted to an ever-changing business and how he's able to look toward the future.

"It's not a funeral," he said. "It's the next chapter."

He and his wife will move to New York after the store shutters Oct. 23. They have a daughter in Brooklyn. With details up in the air and a job still to be found, Scales says he is both excited and nervous.

For now, though, he has a two-month going-out-of-business sale to run and friends to bid farewell to. Starting Sept. 1, just about everything will be marked down 30 percent, and beer will be buy one, get one free. As the store nears its final days, further discounts will be made.

Offers are invited on bigger items in the store that have never been up for sale. These include pieces of art, display items, old picture discs and even an old exercise machine.

"You know the old exercise machines with the belt that wraps around you and shakes?" Scales said witha laugh. "We have one of those; I know someone will definitely want that. I might even sell my Pee-wee Herman bobble head."

Despite 52.5 closing, Scales still is positive about the music. After all, that's what it always has been about.

"It's been wonderful. I've been very lucky," he said. "I've absolutely loved my job. Charleston has been good to me. I don't know how to put it into words, but it's been really good and I feel really lucky."

He's been working in record stores since he was 16. Since 52.5's opening on Feb. 21, 1997, it has kept pace with changing formats and changing types of music.

"When the MP3 came along and people started finding other ways to acquire music, that made it a little more difficult from a business standpoint, but it didn't change how much I loved what I was doing," Scales said.

"I've been around long enough to see many different formats come and go. I've seen eight tracks and cassettes and vinyl and compact discs. The MP3, it's one format records stores can't sell, and that ultimately had a lot to do with why I'm closing," he continued. "But it's a really good time right now for music lovers. And I include myself in that. There are a lot of ways to hear music. It's so easy to discover and hear wonderful music."

Fans of 52.5 are asked to write their favorite memories on the store's Facebook page.