Record shop update: Birdel's to close

Last time, two years ago, when Joe Long tried to close New York record store Birdels, he wasn't allowed to. His customers made him keep open.

This time, though, he really has closed up for good.

On the down side, the city has lost what sounds like a brilliant music store. On the plus side, it sounds like Joe Long is really planning to enjoy his hard-earned retirement:

Mr. Long’s immediate plans include traveling far from New York, where he has lived since 1954: first to North Carolina, where he will visit family, then perhaps to Aruba or Ghana.

[via @PatrickTrojman]