An iconic 54-year-old Texas record store, Flip Side Record Parlor, faces an uncertain future after its San Antonio store was locked out due to rent hikes. The beloved record store posted about its hardships on social media on Friday, May 22, saying it’s facing an “incredibly difficult financial crisis.”
“I know many of us are feeling the squeeze of the current economy and rising costs of living, and it pains me to share that our shop is facing those same harsh realities,” Flip Side Record Parlor wrote in its post. “Recently, our rent was drastically increased.”
Flip Side Record Parlor said it has made consistent efforts to make partial payments and show property ownership, and that the business is doing everything it can to catch up. However, the landlords have locked the staff out of the store until the balance is immediately paid in full.
The South Side staple has been serving San Antonio since 1972. The business narrowly survived the loss of its former owner, Clarisa Renae Peña, who carefully preserved the character and charm of Flip Side Record Parlor. She died at 46 from a years-long battle with colon cancer in 2020.
Peña managed Flip Side for more than 20 years before taking it over in 2011, when the original owner, Doug Lease, died. Flip Side’s legacy began at Southwest Military Drive and Commercial Avenue, a few blocks from its present home. It moved to its current location about a year after Lease died, Cuellar said.
At the time, Peña’s brother and current owner, Roman Cuellar, told MySA the business struggled a bit even before his sister passed, as they had to close the shop off and on due to the ongoing pandemic. But the community rallied together and hosted a barbecue plate store to help keep the doors open at 840 SW Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78221.
At present, Cuellar is asking the community to continue showing their support.
“Flip Side Record Parlor is more than just a business to me it’s a community,” Cuellar wrote in the social media post. “I am turning to you all with a humble plea for help. If FSRP has ever brought a little joy, great music, or good memories into your life, please consider donating. No amount is too small, and every single dollar goes directly toward satisfying the landlord so we can unlock the doors and welcome you back inside.”
If you are able to contribute, you can send donations directly through Cash App at $FlipsideRecord and Venmo at @Roman-Cuellar-FlipsideRecords. Visit its Facebook post for more information on the donations.
In the comments, many customers are heartbroken by the news of the possible store shutdown. One person wrote, “That’s horrible to hear. The strip mall is not in the condition to do that to anyone.” Another wrote, “I hope you find a better place to set up shop. I know y’all have struggled off and on for years I’d hate to see you close. We don’t have enough cool stores anymore.”
“This breaks my heart,” Tricia Pink wrote. “Feeling your pain and hoping for a miracle.”