{"id":387689,"date":"2026-07-27T13:53:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T13:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/387689\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T13:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T13:53:07","slug":"san-antonio-rallies-to-save-flip-side-record-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/387689\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio rallies to save Flip Side record store"},"content":{"rendered":"

An outpouring of community support has put one of San Antonio\u2019s most iconic vinyl shops back on deck. After being locked out of its longtime South Side home in May, Flip Side Record Parlor<\/a> says it has paid all overdue rent and is now back open for business.<\/p>\n

Roman Cuellar, Flip Side\u2019s owner, says he got behind on rent following a steep rent hike. Although he claimed he was making partial payments, the landlord locked him out <\/a>of the 840 SW Military Dr. space in late May with an ultimatum to pay in full.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, FSRP is going through an incredibly difficult financial crisis,\u201d wrote<\/a> Cuellar at the time. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Thursday, July 23, the situation had gotten worse. Cuellar took to social media, saying he needed to raise $8,000 by July 24 or the shop would be forced to close for good.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike many small businesses, the recent closure hit us incredibly hard,\u201d wrote<\/a> Cuellar on Facebook. \u201cBecause our doors were locked, we lost our income, which inevitably increased our amount due on back rent. We have been reaching out to many financial institutions for grants and loans, but to no avail.”<\/p>\n

Flip Side, which first opened in 1972, has had a turbulent decade. Former owner Clarisa Pe\u00f1a, a longtime employee who took over the reins after original owner Doug Lease\u2019s death, lost her battle with colon cancer in 2020. At the time, her daughter, Jessica Erevia, told<\/a> the San Antonio Current that she wasn\u2019t sure if she wanted to keep the store open because it was no longer self-sustaining.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the keys went to another employee who had worked in the store since the \u201890s \u2014 Pe\u00f1a\u2019s brother, Roman. Cuellar maintained the shop\u2019s original character, including the burning incense that greeted customers at the door.<\/p>\n

Cuellar did not share what steps he was taking to make sure Flip Side survives its next chapter, but the shop is wasting no time in reviving the community space. The shop is currently scouting local bands to play among the crates.<\/p>\n