Legendary Bed-Stuy Record Shop Shutters

Birdel's, a legendary record shop in Bedford-Stuyvesant looked nothing like a store going out of business on Friday. The store was filled with customers and the phone wouldn't stop ringing.

But after 53 years, owner Joe Long is closing the Nostrand Avenue shop -- known throughout the world for its collection of rare, old-school R&B, soul and gospel records -- because of decreased record sales and a troubled economy.

However, Long said that there has been an uptick in sales as loyal customers dropped in to say goodbye. People have been calling from as far away as the Netherlands and Germany.

"This week has really been amazing," he said.  "My brother said I should've said I was going out of business three years ago. Maybe I would've had this clientele to buy that I wouldn't have to go out."

Long, 73, reminisced about the store's heyday, remembering in particular the big names that stopped by.

"James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Barry White. We've had Al Green,” he said. “We had, you know, there's so many of them that has been through here."

He said he originally tried to close the store in 2007, but gave into pressure from the neighborhood to keep his store open.

Locals have been stopping by asking for autographs and taking pictures with him, he said. Some people brought their families and told Long that they had shopped their with their own parents and siblings.

"That has really stood out at me," he said. "It makes me feel good to know that I was loved as much I've given love. I've been loved back."

Long said that he plans to travel to North Carolina, where his family lives, after the store closes. Long has also been approached with an offer to create an on-line version of Birdel’s, but he said that he wanted to take a break before deciding whether or not to proceed.