Durham record store will close soon after 20 years. When you can still shop
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Bull City Records owner announced the store is closing after 20 years.
- Everything is being sold in sales through April; the lease ends in early May.
- Local bands and businesses posted messages of thanks and sadness on the closure post.
A downtown Durham record store is closing after 20 years, its owner shared on social media.
Bull City Records owner Charles “Chaz” Martenstein announced the “retirement” of the store Sunday, March 29 on social media.
“It has been my absolute pleasure connecting with all of you through our shared love of (and need for) music,” Martenstein said in the post. “Without your support it would not have succeeded as long as it did and for that, I am eternally appreciative. This community has been amazing from the start.”
Everything in the store is being sold, and sales will continue through April. The store’s lease at 124 E. Main St. is up at the beginning of May, according to the social media post.
Bull City Records stocks new and used vinyl records spanning genres including rock, indie, garage, punk, psych, jazz, electronic, hip hop and experimental.
The News & Observer reached out to Martenstein for additional comment.
Reaction to Bull City Records closing
As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, there were about 240 comments on Bull City Records’ post announcing the closure, with local bands and businesses among those writing messages in response.
Mac McCaughan from the local band Superchunk wrote, “Amazing run, Chaz. Sad to see Bull City Records go!” adding red heart and crying face emojis.
The duo Sylvan Esso wrote, “Thank you so much Chaz,” with a pink heart emoji.
Rubies on Five Points, a nearby bar on Main Street owned by Shawn Stokes, said, “Gonna miss our chats . Happy for you.”
This story was originally published March 31, 2026 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Durham record store will close soon after 20 years. When you can still shop."
