Decades-old Istanbul record store set to close its doors

After decades serving Istanbul music lovers, a historic record store is shuttering its doors at the end of this year due to "family reasons."

"Our adventure, which started on May 13, 1954, will end on Dec. 31, 2019," said the Lale Plak's Twitter account last week, saddening its longtime customers as well as musicians and music lovers everywhere.

"Through Lale Plak, we've touched the souls of thousands of our friends with quality music for 65 years," it added.

Located in the city's teeming Beyoğlu district, the 35 square-meter (4,020-foot) store is credited with providing top-notch vinyl records and CDs to its customers.

All the albums on offer were being meticulously selected by Hakan Atala, 58, the store owner, who boasts a profound knowledge of music, particularly jazz and classical.

"I was trying to stock and sell different albums compared to other stores. I did all this with love," Atala told Anadolu Agency.

"When a new record comes in, we never put it on the shelf without listening first," he added.

Atala took over the historic place from his father and uncle at the end of the '80s, when his father got old and his uncle died. 

World-famous visitors 

Over time, the store stocking distinctive albums became a stomping ground for musicians. "Prominent musicians from abroad were also visiting here," said Atala.

Marcus Miller, an American jazz composer, producer, and bass guitarist, was among those who visited the store.

During a 2003 concert in Istanbul, Miller wore a Lale Plak T-shirt that Atala gave him as a present during his visit.

"He played all night with that T-shirt on and he made me so happy," Atala said.

After eight years, in 2011, Miller came to...