Ecstasy was a far-off feeling for music lovers in Louisville when they heard their favorite independent music store would be shutting down indefinitely on Monday.

The news came as a complete shock to Ear X-tasy customers who went to the store on Saturday only to be greeted with a closed sign and no further explanation. Singer Alan Rhody, had scheduled to play an in-store concert, but he too showed up only to find the lights off and the door locked.

A store manager later left Rhody a voicemail saying something came up, and that the store would postpone the concert. Nothing was said about cancelling, Rhody said, WDRB reported.

The store suspended their Twitter account and did not respond to emails throughout the weekend, although they did announce on their Facebook page that they would be making an official Statement on Monday, which read:

Dear Louisville, and all who have shopped, supported, and loved ear X-tacy over the years,

It has been a dream come true...actually, a dream exceeded, to be part of your musical lives here in Louisville for the last 26 years. My life was changed forever, and guided by the power of music since I can remember. Music has been the soul, the heart, the passion of my life for my entire 56 years. The record store experience has been the only child in my life. Now, it's time for me to let it fly.

Thank YOU...for allowing me to be part of your musical universe. Louisville, you made me feel like I was truly HOME when I moved here in 1976. It's been a great ride, but as George Harrison knowingly said, All Things Must Pass. It's with sadness, but also with great pride I say to you now...

ear X-tacy is no more

Long live ear X-tacy!

Please keep the music alive. Support the incredible music scene and independent businesses we have here! Until you leave this great city, you cannot realize what a unique treasure we have here. Embrace it, celebrate it, and promote it. Love it.

Thank you all for making my dreams come true. Thank you for making ear X-tacy the wonderful place that it was. I thank all of the staff that made this store THE hub for music in Louisville for the past 26 years. Please take pride in knowing that YOU have been the heart and soul of what this store became. Thank you for sharing my dream and exceeding all of my expectations! To all of the musicians who have graced our store and stage, I cannot tell you what a thrill it's been. From the local newbies to the incredibly huge national artists...THANK YOU for gracing our store and sharing you incredible musical talents with us all...that's what I like to call: earX-tacy.

Love, peace, music and ear X-tacy to you all,

John D. Timmons
President, ear X-tacy, Inc.

Ear X-tacy's future has been hanging in the balance since February 2010 when Timmons made an appeal to the community for more sales after moving to a smaller store. The store first opened in 1985, first operating from a tiny storefront and then operating at 5 different locations all on Bardstown Road.

Many have mourned the closing of the store on Facebook:

Donna Downey lived in Louisville from 94-00. Only place to buy music in Lou-a-vull. Best of luck to you. Your store was a music lover's dream come true.

David Gay I blame iTunes! I've been to all 4 locations, I had great memories at all of them! Another Louisville institution dies.

Diana Burgess Ear x tacy will be greatly missed.... Been a part of my life for 20 years and I will never forget it.. But the music still lives on and I will continue supporting it. Love u all.. Thanks for the memories!!

Brandon McQueen Ear X-tacy, thanks for everything you did for the local music scene. You gave many a band a place to share their music. I appreciate the great atmosphere that you provided over the years and the vast amount of listening booths with the newest releases weekly. I'll definitely miss stopping by and seeing all the flyers for who's playing around town. Good luck to all the crew, and thanks once again for sharing a part of yourselves with Louisville.

Frances Zopp I shopped there as a middle- and high- schooler, worked there a 20-something, and stopped in every time I was back in town after I left Louisville. Lots of memories, and those won't ever go away. Thank you, John!

Facebook Twitter ITunes Twitter