Rupp’s Drums Closing

[scooter540]

Saw this posted on their social media this morning. Sad to see another drum shop close.

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[bobsyouruncle]

Yup, this sucks.

And it's not going to get easier.

 

[Hop]

I bought some gear there in the past (couple of snares and some hardware), although that was probably 15-years ago now. They treated me well and had fair pricing.
But the internet has certainly has made it much tougher market to comepte in, no doubt...

 

[Trilock_Gurtu]

Wild. I'm a bit confused by the owners statement. He's a young guy, only had it for 7 years, makes it sound like everything was great...but closing down, not even selling it?

 

[bobsyouruncle]

Wild. I'm a bit confused by the owners statement. He's a young guy, only had it for 7 years, makes it sound like everything was great...but closing down, not even selling it?

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That's because he's not telling you the dark side. Because everybody puts that happy face on social media

 

[bkmaynes]

This a bummer. I enjoyed that shop. Bought mostly sticks, clamps, and stands over the years, but a neat little place to browse.

 

[johnindenver]

Wow, the end of an era for sure. I first met Bob Rupp and became a customer of his way back in 1984 or 1985, before he even had a store front. He was buying and selling used drums out of his rented house off I25 near Yale, if I remember correctly. My current (and only) drum-set includes a 20" kick drum and a 14" floor tom I bought from him during that era.

I continued to be a customer when he moved to his first store front, which he shared for a while with Jinx Jones, who sold guitars out of his half of the store. It was about a block from the current store.

When he moved to the current store I helped him with his PC's and his network. I still have the Ludwig snare drum he insisted on giving me in payment for some work I did.

By the time he sold the store to the current owner, my drum and cymbal buying had quieted down to almost nothing. I already had all the gear I need, and it's the stuff I still play.

I've visited the shop several times under the new ownership, and always had the impression it was well-run. The folks were knowledgeable and friendly, though without Bob around there was something missing for me.

I'm sorry to hear the chapter is ending for the current owner. If it really is the end, it's a loss for the Denver drumming community for sure.

 

[Troyh]

Bought my first Gretsch kit from Bob back in the day. (I realize he had sold the company in 2018.)
Sorry to see them go.

 

[Treviso1]

Very sad indeed…

 

[stevesmithfan]

Drum equipment has become quite unaffordable sad that their closing times are tough for a lot of people. Drumflation

 

[Rich K.]

Drum equipment has become quite unaffordable sad that their closing times are tough for a lot of people. Drumflation

Used drums are going down in price and are plentiful.

 

[Rich K.]

I wonder if the Lodo Drum store had a big effect. They seem to do a lot if business.

 

[komodobob]

This does not surprise me in the least. I don't know a thing about this particular drum shop, so maybe my assessment of his situation isn't really fair. That said, having been in the retail business for many years, I can say with all assurance, it is a very difficult gig, with super tight margins.

What happens too often, when someone buys an existing, long standing (yes, even profitable) business, they enter into an agreement, without first doing their due diligence. They just have dollar signs in their eyes. Ultimately, in the end, they really are just buying themselves a paycheck. If that's the case, my advise is just keep your regular job. Those don't have to be purchased.

This sort of thing happens way too often, because buyers get caught up in the excitement of owning their own business and don't do their homework. In the end, when you put all the math together, you may still have a profitable business, but it's not something that has value to an investor. There has to be value added for the buyer.

And one final thing, a new business owner really should be thinking about an exit strategy. I know some people may think that's a strange thing to be planning for, when first going into business - but the fact is, we all have retirement in our future. You need to have a plan.

 

[Smittee]

I've been going to Rupp's since '86, and always loved the vibe. I played gigs with Bob's bands back in the day. It was a cool community. I made a habit of checking with Rupp's first before going online to buy gear, and was willing to make the 30 mile drive to support the LDS. They also put on some great clinics. I saw Craig Blundell, and Anika Nilles among others. Over the past couple years, I've gotten "attitude" from them on more than one occasion whenever I had questions or comments. My willingness to go out of my way to support them quickly faded, so I'm not at all surprised by this announcement. It's likely others had similar experiences. It was almost like I was supposed to be honored to spend my money at a legendary drum shop. All things must end.

 

[bkmaynes]

I wonder if the Lodo Drum store had a big effect. They seem to do a lot if business.

I think you mean LoDoDrumGuy.
I've bought from him a few times. Great guy. Since I'm local, I have always stopped by his 'shop' to check out cymbals. Always provided a good deal in person. He also has a pretty impressive shop on eBay for parts and such.

 

[dingaling]

Never been there but that’s a loss for their local community. Even in NYC, there’s only 1 mom pop drum shop left. The world is changing and I don’t like it one bit. Not one bit.

 

[jdrumma]

Just picked up the Tama 50th Rosewood snare from them at a very reasonable price. Sorry to see another drum shop go out of business.

 

[DSDrummer]

Wild. I'm a bit confused by the owners statement. He's a young guy, only had it for 7 years, makes it sound like everything was great...but closing down, not even selling it?

Another one bites the dust.
Selling it? When I closed my shop in 2018, I literally couldn't give it away. FREE! All someone had to do was buy the building (which had real-estate value regardless, even had a nice apartment in back).
No takers. I kept selling down the inventory until it was just a pile of parts nobody would even haul away for scrap. The building finally sold to someone who turned it into a "Wellness Center" -- which subsequently closed. I think it's empty now. I kept what little I wanted of the remains and left the junk parts for them to deal with.

The situation for small retailers has only gotten worse since 2018. I imagine he tried to sell it. No one foolish enough to bite.

 

[Trilock_Gurtu]

Another one bites the dust.
Selling it? When I closed my shop in 2018, I literally couldn't give it away. FREE! All someone had to do was buy the building (which had real-estate value regardless, even had a nice apartment in back).
No takers. I kept selling down the inventory until it was just a pile of parts nobody would even haul away for scrap. The building finally sold to someone who turned it into a "Wellness Center" -- which subsequently closed. I think it's empty now. I kept what little I wanted of the remains and left the junk parts for them to deal with.

The situation for small retailers has only gotten worse since 2018. I imagine he tried to sell it. No one foolish enough to bite.

That's my point. The message is conflicting. If it was viable maybe there would have been a sale. Regardless of his choice of words, I think we all know the reality of the situation (sadly).

 

[DrumTransit]

Bummer. I was literally in Denver last weekend and almost stopped by, but figured I’d just go next time I was out there. Hope the other shops can stay open.