Easy Street Records cleaning up after flooding damage – not because of the weather

(first two photos courtesy of Matt Vaughan)

Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan opened the shop a little later than usual this morning after cleaning up from flooding. No, it wasn’t a weather problem – Vaughan says the water was from a burst pipe in an apartment over the shop. So far, he says he’s lost about 5,000 records and 300 hoodies and tote bags to water damage.

Both the shop and the café are open, however (and as noted in our daily event list, an in-store concert is planned tonight).

1:08 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen stopped by and talked to Vaughan, who took a quick break to show us that his staff had things mostly cleaned up at that point, with fans running. He noted where the water initially came into the store upstairs, before leaking down to the lower level of the store and even through to the Corner Pocket bar in the basement:

He added that he was grateful to those who worked hard to mitigate the damage, and said he had experienced “much worse” in terms of water damage during the store’s 36 years in business.

26 Replies to "Easy Street Records cleaning up after flooding damage - not because of the weather"

  • flimflam October 4, 2024 (12:56 pm)

    Agh! Brutal. Records and water are a terrible mix…

  • Derek October 4, 2024 (1:12 pm)

    NOOOO!!! Love Easy Street hopefully they recover fast might have to grab some breakfast and a record this weekend….

  • Jim October 4, 2024 (1:15 pm)

    Some of those records must still be good. He should put them out for like a dollar each or free. Better than just tossing them

    • Collector October 4, 2024 (3:49 pm)

      While it would be nice for the community it would negate his ability to recover his loss via insurance claim. 

      • Walter October 6, 2024 (9:19 am)

        They could buy the records back and then resell or gift them, or display some.  Often that is done with a car total.  

  • John October 4, 2024 (1:16 pm)

    I’d buy a water damaged hoodie if that would help.

    • Stephanie October 4, 2024 (2:10 pm)

      Same! I’d go home and wash it anyway! Sorry to hear but glad it sounds at least mostly under control by now. Love easy street.

    • 2 Much Whine October 4, 2024 (2:18 pm)

      Me too!

    • ABC123 October 4, 2024 (2:26 pm)

      Maybe a “water sale” instead of a fire sale? I’m sure a lot of folks would LOVE to support if the team has bandwidth. 

    • Bonnie October 4, 2024 (2:51 pm)

      I would buy a water damaged hoodie. 

    • Danielle October 8, 2024 (12:34 pm)

      Me tooo!

  • Yma October 4, 2024 (2:13 pm)

    If it’s just water – I’d totally still take a hoodie at half price!

  • RLV October 4, 2024 (2:42 pm)

    I’m happy to buy some water-damaged hoodies and totes, too. I’ll stop by early next week to see how else I can help you all. You’ve helped me many times. 

  • Jason October 4, 2024 (3:03 pm)

    Did they not update their pipes from galvanized to PVC?

    • Burgerman October 4, 2024 (5:04 pm)

      Bruh. Read the article. 🤦🏻‍♂️

    • Question Authority October 4, 2024 (8:18 pm)

      A pipe made from any material can still burst due to age, pressure or damage.

    • alki_2008 October 6, 2024 (12:08 am)

      I would hope your water supply lines are not PVC. Do you really want to be drinking or cooking with water that’s mixed with plastic?  Copper is great, but even copper pipes leak.

  • jissy October 4, 2024 (3:11 pm)

    I’d be happy to wash those hoodies at the amazing new REVOLUTION Laundromat in White Center for Matt to still be able to sell them!  Not kidding.

  • Justducky October 4, 2024 (3:58 pm)

    My friends and I are interested in purchasing damaged hoodies and tote bags to help recoup some costs. 

  • Patrick October 4, 2024 (4:45 pm)

    Wow, 5,000 records lost and all that water damage is such a shame. I hope that everyone has good water damage insurance.

  • Doug October 4, 2024 (8:42 pm)

    Much love to the Easy Street family. I know they will bounce back even stronger with community support. 

  • Rosie Bergen October 4, 2024 (9:03 pm)

    Oh this is terrible, how unfortunate 

  • Todd Miller October 4, 2024 (11:50 pm)

    O no not again, last time I remember it was a upstairs tenant passed out in the tub with the water running  

    • WSB October 4, 2024 (11:55 pm)

      Matt said this happened while the apartment’s resident was not home.

    • alki_2008 October 6, 2024 (12:11 am)

      I’d put my money on a water heater.  Glad that it was clean water that leaked, otherwise it would be even more of a disaster in terms of mitigation and cleaning. Ask me how I know.  :(

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