This Week in the Mercury
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Music / Portland Mississippi Records Shuns Street Fair, Plays Dickish But Humorous Prank
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Sun, Jul 13, 2008 at 12:15 PM
At the Mississippi Street Fair yesterday.
After an initial groan of "Ohhhhh shit!," we determined this was a hoax put on by Mississippi Records, who decided to get the hell out of dodge for yesterday's street fair. They shuttered their storefront and played Kenny G from an outdoor speaker; they left a marker with a piece of string for folks to leave their thoughts. Judging by what people wrote, most people bought the joke.
Commenting was not available when this article was originally published.
2
Or, as a commenter put it on my photo: "Its Mississippi Records trying to make an anti consumerism statement in protest of that huge corporate entity 'The Mississippi Street Fair' which plans on taking over Portland one handmade hippy soap and potholder at a time."
3
Someone should have smashed their window. That would have been a statement.
Is Mississippi Records a business? Do they not want consumers? Seems they could have at least made a month's rent payment off all the people that were there yesterday. Looked like CD Exchange was selling lots of music.
Is Mississippi Records a business? Do they not want consumers? Seems they could have at least made a month's rent payment off all the people that were there yesterday. Looked like CD Exchange was selling lots of music.
4
I also only just now notice that im the photo I took, there's a guy in the background writing a message. It reads, "I hate records anyway!"
5
Before you go and write a thing on your (news?) blog calling the owner a dick, you should try and contact him for his side of the story. Getting the whole story (and both sides of it) is what journalists are supposed to do.
6
we thought it was a super funny prank. We saw it and then cursed it and denied it and then the next day we laughed that it had to be a joke. It was. Touche!
I bet it was funny as hell putting up the blank brown paper the night before the street fair just waiting for the outpouring of anti-Starbucks graffiti. That was funny to read on the day-of.
PS - glad there will be no frappocinos on ole Miss! Well done!
I bet it was funny as hell putting up the blank brown paper the night before the street fair just waiting for the outpouring of anti-Starbucks graffiti. That was funny to read on the day-of.
PS - glad there will be no frappocinos on ole Miss! Well done!
9
As a resident and an ex business owner on Mississippi, I think it is overwhelming to deal with all the people that come into the neighborhood for the fair. I dont know the record shop's reasons being closed, but I enjoyed my neighbors and the folks who were my customers on a one to one basis. I cannot stand the huge number of people meandering about and if you have a personal conncetion to your 'product' why would you want to be open? In regards to the record shop, I can only imagine people coming in all day, asking dumb ass questions, pulling records out of the sleeves, ect. People are obnoxious anyway, but in large numbers it is completely unbearable.
10
Didn't they have their own stage at the event?
From the looks of their site, they were all about the fair:
http://www.mississippistudios.com/
From the looks of their site, they were all about the fair:
http://www.mississippistudios.com/
14
maybe they just want to get out of their lease by enticing a takeover by some large coffee chain. I hate customers too. If they aren't there to buy they should just stay the eff home. So totes serious, yeah.
I guess the thing that isn't getting any play in this thread is this: Were it not for the incredible influx of businesses, shoppers and attention there probably wouldn't be enough people walking Mississippi to help sustain a record store. So, even though it's funny to point out the rampant gentrification of Miss. and close up shop for one day at least a record store is still business.
I guess the thing that isn't getting any play in this thread is this: Were it not for the incredible influx of businesses, shoppers and attention there probably wouldn't be enough people walking Mississippi to help sustain a record store. So, even though it's funny to point out the rampant gentrification of Miss. and close up shop for one day at least a record store is still business.
15
they obviously feel gentrification knockin at the ole door...i applaud them for thier humor and i wish them luck in the jr pearl district...
17
"Judging by what people wrote, most people bought the joke."
That's because most people are stupid. Especially around Homogenity Village.
That's because most people are stupid. Especially around Homogenity Village.
18
Part of the Gentrification? Why, because the owner is white? His store has been there for years, long before the gourmet salt shop and overpriced boutiques came in. He was sustaining a record store and a label long before the "incredible influx of businesses." Why? Because they sell and trade real music to real music connoisseurs, not sell as many crap used CDs as they can to passersby. Miss. Records is not there to capitalize off of the idiots who come to street fairs. It's a NEIGHBORHOOD business, with a strong clientele.
19
ummm... just to clarify. Mississippi Records may have been there before the gourmet salt shop and other boutiques, but by no means were they there before the gentrification happened. I live 3 blocks from the record store, often buy things from the place, but they are part of the gentrification problem. I've lived in the neighborhood now for 7 years-- way before it became the new hot neighborhood. But seriously people, they are a business. And businesses are open to make money. If they weren't they wouldn't be there. Just like every other store on the street. Independent or otherwise. And to those of you who "hate" customers. Don't work in retail.
20
Hey "Mississippi Resident"
Actually it seems more likely that you're part of the aforementioned gentrification problem.
"But seriously people, they are a business. And businesses are open to make money."
Mississippi Records isn't BK, and you can't have it your way. It's their business, so they can run it any way they want. And I'm sure they won't be hurt by any sourpusses pissy because they weren't open during the Gentrificationville Street Fair.
Actually it seems more likely that you're part of the aforementioned gentrification problem.
"But seriously people, they are a business. And businesses are open to make money."
Mississippi Records isn't BK, and you can't have it your way. It's their business, so they can run it any way they want. And I'm sure they won't be hurt by any sourpusses pissy because they weren't open during the Gentrificationville Street Fair.
21
Ummm.... Miss. Resident, you shop there but you view them as part of some percieved problem? I think Jake is right, maybe you're the problem. According to your logic, all business is evil or suspect. Would you consider the Rebuilding Center to be a big bad gentrifiying business? From what I understand, they've been here for nearly ten years. I would think a business like that would be absolutely great for every community in this country. They seem to put plenty of people from the neighborhood to work. The horror! If they opened the door for other home grown businesses, then good for them. What's wrong with that? People who've lived in Portland all of their lives tell me that Mississippi Ave. used to be where people would go to dump trash in vacant lots. Would you rather it reverted to that state? At least the gentrification would end, and we could all shut up and be happy right? Sure.
I think when you get right down to it, there are some businesses that are good for the community, and some that aren't. Some are parasites and some are not. In a free society, we have to make room for all of them, don't we? Let the market sort them out right? I would love to see the salt shop and those other yuppie parasties go away. But they have as much right to be there as the record store, or Miss Pizza, or the comic book store, or any of the places where genuine people work and eat in the neighborhood.
I think when you get right down to it, there are some businesses that are good for the community, and some that aren't. Some are parasites and some are not. In a free society, we have to make room for all of them, don't we? Let the market sort them out right? I would love to see the salt shop and those other yuppie parasties go away. But they have as much right to be there as the record store, or Miss Pizza, or the comic book store, or any of the places where genuine people work and eat in the neighborhood.
23
Get over it people! I think the Fair is a great event for the community. I thought that was the main "Portland thing", building community instead of suburban life...right?
24
This comment comes from Indiana. Mississippi Records - as a record label and not just a store- is world famous. At least famous nationwide. From what it is known, those people down at that store are music freaks of the highest order-in geniune interest of what is within their practice. I've never been to the store, but I've read stories and had friends going through on tour mention it-and it's suppose to be hands-down incredible.
Hip -Street Fairs suck-and everyone knows that geniune music freaks are more -or-less not interested in the crap that a street fair presents. It's like what's good about a place turns into some distorted bummer with more trinkets and congestion. if you live somewhere and live their knowing what's good-you probably won't be helped by a street fair- if anything, those events do kind of lead to making places less interesting over time.
oh course, i've never been to Portland..
Hip -Street Fairs suck-and everyone knows that geniune music freaks are more -or-less not interested in the crap that a street fair presents. It's like what's good about a place turns into some distorted bummer with more trinkets and congestion. if you live somewhere and live their knowing what's good-you probably won't be helped by a street fair- if anything, those events do kind of lead to making places less interesting over time.
oh course, i've never been to Portland..
Most Commented on Blogtown, PDX
-
Mandatory French Fries on Sandwiches: CONDEMN OR ALLOW? by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey
-
Black Bloc Trashes Belmont; Cops Make Arrests by Nathan Gilles
-
TriMet Budget Cuts Rundown: Fare Increase, MAX Cuts, Killing Free Rail, Oh My! by Sarah Mirk
-
The Simmering Battle Between Occupy and the Black Bloc by Denis C. Theriault
-
Woman Arrested in Last Night's Police Brutality March: "I Was Outside My House" by Denis C. Theriault
-
Let's Play the Game of
LoveThrones by Erik Henriksen -
Proactive Cops Worry About "Tone" of Anti-Police-Brutality March by Denis C. Theriault
-
CAT BREADING UPDATE: Which Mercury Employee Succumbed to the Pressure? by Bobby Roberts
-
Should All of Buckman Declare Itself Historic? by Sarah Mirk
-
Tonight! KATU Wants Everyone to Be Afraid of Marauding Crazy People! by Denis C. Theriault
Our Friends
- UrbanHonking
- Culture Shock
- Portland Roundball Society
- Steph Cassano
- Cort and Fatboy
- Street Roots
- Powell's Books Blog
- Portland Transport
- Portland Afoot
- Bike Portland
- Eater: PDX
- Portland Food and Drink
- Mr. Movie
- Sunday Softball
- BlueOregon
- Sightline Institute
- Ultra: Arts Portland
- Bitch Magazine
- Blazer's Edge
- Reading Local: Portland
- Portland Food Carts
- Stumptown Vegans
Our Enemies
The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.
Bands Page
Housing
Jobs
Musicians
For Sale
Wheels
Services
Health
The Arts
Friends 'N' Neighbors
Bulletin Board
Personals
Adult
About Portland Mercury
RSSGoing to Seattle?
Comments (24) RSS