Record shop flooded
Friends rally to help out Bluestreak Records after frozen pipe bursts
Supporters are rallying around a downtown record store that sustained what is expected to be tens of thousands of dollars in water damage when a frozen second floor pipe burst Monday evening, flooding the shop and soaking entire sections of vinyl records.
Bluestreak Records owner Tim Haines and friends were busy Wednesday with damage control work that has continued around the clock since a New Year’s he’d rather forget. The store at 444 George St. remains closed as they try to salvage as much as they can.
The Soul/Funk/R&B section took the biggest hit, as it was located directly below where the water flowed into the store near the south wall. There, wet, sagging posters and drywall paper could be seen peeling away from the walls on Wednesday.
Even after nearly two days of work, the carpet floor remained squishy-wet.
An exhausted Haines said he’s not sure what he would have done without all the help he’s been getting to deal with a situation that followed a bout with the flu.
“I would have had to go back to bed until next New Year’s, otherwise,” he joked, getting a laugh out of those helping out – some of whom pointed out how the store is a meeting place and a valuable community asset.
Friends have come from abroad – including others who have been sick. Many have taken records home to dry them out near dehumidifiers, for example. The store, which opened in 1989, offers new and used records and CDs, turntables and needles and belts.
Haines has been moved by all of the support.
“It’s been great. There’s been a revolving door of people coming to help,” he said.
Even if his insurance company covers the entire loss, it would still be a shame to lose that much music, pointed out the afficionado and brother of accomplished Canadian singer-songwriter Emily Haines, best known for fronting rock band Metric and being a member of Broken Social Scene.
“Music means going the extra mile to save it,” he said, looking around the store. “Everyone (here) feels music is worth the extra effort.”
The helpers have also been stripping the plastic from rows of new vinyl to save the records – but hundreds of covers have been ruined. The full extent of the damage won’t be known until many of them have more of a chance to dry out.
Haines remains unsure when he’ll be able to open, with so much work to do. But he hopes to be able to get to a point where he can open the store as the work continues.
City firefighters have been called to many reports of flooding as a result of broken water pipes during the current deep freeze, which is the result of a polar vortex – a large pocket of dense arctic air that pushes freezing air south.
On Tuesday, The Examiner also reported on the many water main breaks that have kept Peterborough Utilities workers busy over the holidays.
Warmer temperatures are in the forecast – but not until early next week, when lows are expected to be closer to the freezing mark.
NOTE: For more on Blue streak Records, call 705-742-6078, email bluestreakrecords@gmail.com or visit www.downtownptbo.ca/ business/ blue streak-records.