Bob Koester, the former owner of hallowed Chicago record store Jazz Record Mart, just can't get out of the music business. After more than 60 years in business, Koester decided to sell Jazz Record Mart and all of its stock earlier this year, a decision he attributed to the rapidly rising cost of rent for the shop's River North location. The closure was merely a short break for Koester—according to the Chicago Tribune, he is once again selling records at a new shop in Irving Park.
Bob's Blues and Jazz Mart, located at 3419 W Irving Park Road, seems to be a continuation of the now-defunct Jazz Record Mart, specializing in used jazz and blues LPs, 45s and 78s; a selection of CDs and DVDs; and titles from Koester's own Delmark Records label. The store is much smaller that Koester's old shop, but he's still sitting behind the counter from 10am to 6pm on Monday through Saturday (Bob's Blues and Jazz Mart is closed on Sundays).
The store launched with a soft opening last weekend, according to the Tribune, but Bob's Blues and Jazz Mart will celebrate its grand opening with a free in-store performance by the Dan Meinhardt Quartet on October 15 at 1pm.
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