A beloved Coeur d’Alene business will close its doors this summer.
The Long Ear has been selling CDs and records for decades, but the owners said high rent costs are putting them out of business.
“It’s a sad day for us all, but God, we’ve had great customers and employees over all these years, and we couldn’t be more blessed,” said Terry Borchard, who co-owns the business with his wife, Deon.
The Borchards started the business over 50 years ago, spending about a decade in California and four in Coeur d’Alene.
Terry Borchard said that even as digital music has become more popular than physical mediums such as CDs and vinyl, The Long Ear has been busier than ever. But when the business’s building was sold, Terry Borchard said he and his wife couldn’t find another affordable location to rent.
Along with three longtime employees and the store cat, Major Tom, the Borchards said the store has built a loyal customer base. The couple said many of those customers have been stopping in to say goodbye.
Jason Smith has been shopping at the store for 30 years and said he’s sad to see it go.
“These little, local stores get people out,” Smith said. “They feel like they’re helping out the community.”
Deon Borchard said that after the store closes on July 3, she and her husband plan to travel and visit family. They’re hopeful someone else will open a record store to fill the gap left by The Long Ear.
As they look ahead to the closing date, Deon Borchard said she appreciates customers’ support.
“Just a great big thank you,” Deon Borchard said. “This whole community has been great for us and great to us — very welcoming from the day we opened.”
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