On Monday, Berlin councilmembers voted 3-1 to approve Record Store Day, a collaborative effort between the town and several downtown businesses, for April 20.
Town council votes 3-1 to approve new event
By Charlene Sharpe, Associate Editor
Berlin town officials have added Record Store Day to the 2024 events calendar.
On Monday, town councilmembers voted 3-1 to approve the event, a collaborative effort between the town and several downtown businesses, for April 20.
“Sound Storm Records celebrates this every year, they just wanted to do something a little more this year,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director.
Wells told the council that during the last merchant meeting, the connections of Sound Storm Records suggested the idea of celebrating Record Store Day in Berlin. Wells said the concept has grown in recent years and the day is marked by record stores around the country.
“We really liked the idea,” she said.
Wells said the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and would include closures on Pitts and Gay streets.
“What we are asking for is to have Pitts Street closed from 410 Social, the intersection of William Street, to the end where Main Street begins. Main Street would not be closed to traffic,” Wells said, adding that a portion of Gay Street, near Sound Storm Records, would also be closed.
She said Pitts Street would be filled with music-related vendors and a musician will provide live entertainment. Sound Storm Records will also be hosting musician Cal Toner, either on Gay Street or in The Globe. Wells said the event would not cost the town anything.
Councilman Dean Burrell asked if Record Store Day was on the list of 2024 events that was approved last year. Wells said it was not but was being proposed as a last minute addition.
“I have been under the impression that when things come up and we already approved the list of events, this could be something we could consider for the upcoming year but not immediately,” Burrell said, adding that he remembered a woman who’d proposed a parade on Flower Street who had been told her event could be considered for the following year because it wasn’t on the event list.
Councilman Jay Knerr said he was aware of Record Store Day and expected it to bring people to Berlin.
“I have no doubt it will be very successful,” he said.
Wells agreed. Burrell, however, maintained that in order to be consistent in treating everyone the same he’d suggest the event be considered for 2025. The council voted 3-1, with Burrell opposed and Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols absent, to approve the event for April 20.