ONE OF Canberra's last remaining independent music stores, Songland Records, will close its doors at the Tuggeranong Hyperdome next month and relocate to Weston.
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Store owner Bryan ''Frog'' Harris said the move had been forced by cost pressures and the changing state of the music industry.
To mark the move, Mr Harris arranged for iconic rocker Suzi Quatro to appear in-store yesterday to sign autographs and chat with fans before her concert at the National Convention Centre Canberra last night.
About 100 fans got the chance to get up close with their idol, who signed CDs, records and even an old eight-track cassette.
Mr Harris said he was able to secure Quatro's services because of his long-standing commitment to music and the music industry.
''We have a rapport with our clientele and we have a great relationship with the musicians, combined with 30 years of experience ... I see us as being a conduit for the two,'' Mr Harris said.
Quatro could not remember her last in-store appearance according to Mr Harris, which he said demonstrated his store's popularity with big name acts.
''We've had everyone through in the past, from Leigh Kernaghan to Leo Sayer, and now Suzi,'' Mr Harris said.
At the end of October, Songland Records will relocate to Cooleman Court, Weston.
''Because of the downsizing of the industry, to survive we need to downsize our costs,'' Mr Harris said.
The music industry was suffering because many people no longer valued music, according to the Songland Record's owner.
''Everybody loves music, but not everybody values it ... younger people who are into 'dance' don't value music,'' he said.
''There wasn't one person in here getting their iPod autographed today.''
The Tuggeranong Hyperdome has experienced a number of store closures over recent months, including a restaurant that claimed it could no longer operate because of unsanitary conditions.
Figures supplied to local lobby group Tuggeranong City Council, suggest almost a quarter of retail leases at the Hyperdome have been turned over in the past 18 months.
A spokesman for the Hyperdome Shopping Centre said last night he could not discuss individual leasing agreements.
