POLYESTER - RENOVATION FOR INSTORES
A$14,017
of $12,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 20th Jul 2014 at 2:47PM.
Since we had to close our larger space in Flinders Lane, Melbourne earlier in 2014 , there's one thing that we've realised we can't do at our long standing but somewhat smaller Fitzroy location right now - instore gigs! Over the last 4 years, we've hosted an almost innumerable stack of free instore gigs featuring local and international artists whom we all love and support, whether releasing a new album or passing through Melbourne on tour. These free, all-ages events offered some truly fun and memorable times for us, bands and punters alike and with your help, we want to make this happen again regularly in Fitzroy!
As we all know it's been an extremely tough time for all record stores of late and at the end of March this year, we unfortunately and reluctantly had to make the call to close the Flinders Lane as rising CBD rent and other outside factors made running the two stores a significant financial strain, from which we are still recovering in some ways.
While we miss being around to hang out with our regulars, supporters and music fans in general in the city, this was a chance to positively focus on what was ahead for the long-standing Fitzroy store, located in the heart of Brunswick Street for 30 years now. In addition to constantly supporting what we and our customers see as the most exciting new music and the most essential classic back catalogue in physical formats, we have been focused on trying to find a way to return to hosting gigs at Polyester Records.
After putting a lot of thought and planning into how we could make this happen with the space we have in Fitzroy, we decided we'd needed to achieve the following changes in order to safely, adequately and competently host events there;
-build new modular racks for LPs to make them easily movable
-replace our tired sales counter area with something more compact and relocate it to the front of the store to make space at the back of the store for a performance space
-get rid of our bright neon 7-11 lights and replace them with something that will add some adjustable ambiance to instore events
-separate our office from the performance and store space
So as you can see, it is a bit of an undertaking to get things logistically right but it ultimately means that we can get back to hosting free gigs by bands we all love and guess what - everyone's invited!
As we all know it's been an extremely tough time for all record stores of late and at the end of March this year, we unfortunately and reluctantly had to make the call to close the Flinders Lane as rising CBD rent and other outside factors made running the two stores a significant financial strain, from which we are still recovering in some ways.
While we miss being around to hang out with our regulars, supporters and music fans in general in the city, this was a chance to positively focus on what was ahead for the long-standing Fitzroy store, located in the heart of Brunswick Street for 30 years now. In addition to constantly supporting what we and our customers see as the most exciting new music and the most essential classic back catalogue in physical formats, we have been focused on trying to find a way to return to hosting gigs at Polyester Records.
After putting a lot of thought and planning into how we could make this happen with the space we have in Fitzroy, we decided we'd needed to achieve the following changes in order to safely, adequately and competently host events there;
-build new modular racks for LPs to make them easily movable
-replace our tired sales counter area with something more compact and relocate it to the front of the store to make space at the back of the store for a performance space
-get rid of our bright neon 7-11 lights and replace them with something that will add some adjustable ambiance to instore events
-separate our office from the performance and store space
So as you can see, it is a bit of an undertaking to get things logistically right but it ultimately means that we can get back to hosting free gigs by bands we all love and guess what - everyone's invited!
How The Funds Will Be Used
Here's a breakdown of our costs to help us get the store gig-ready;
Electrical/lighting re-fit $700
Includes moving sales counter and requisite electrical/data fittings to the front of the store, new lighting to set the mood (nobody likes neon), safe power fittings for the performance area + more
New counter fitting $500
New stock racks $8600
As we have less space to play with in general compared to the Flinders Lane store, we need to be smart about the layout of the store - the new racks we have had designed for us are sturdier, more modular and have wheels for easy rearrangement to make sure we can all get close to the action
Floor covering $200
Includes some minor patching work and treatment to our concrete floor to ensure its smooth and safe.
Paint $300
Separation wall $600
A modest wall of wooden construction to separate our current office area/green room, which will adjoin to the performance space.
Extra labour $1100
We would be absolutely thrilled if we made our target with your help of course and if you're wondering what happens to any extra cash if we exceed it, we would like to put it towards upgrading the Polyester PA and microphones, as well as purchasing a basic permanent backline for bands to use - drumkit without accessories, bass cabinet/head, etc. Would be a sweet setup huh?
Electrical/lighting re-fit $700
Includes moving sales counter and requisite electrical/data fittings to the front of the store, new lighting to set the mood (nobody likes neon), safe power fittings for the performance area + more
New counter fitting $500
New stock racks $8600
As we have less space to play with in general compared to the Flinders Lane store, we need to be smart about the layout of the store - the new racks we have had designed for us are sturdier, more modular and have wheels for easy rearrangement to make sure we can all get close to the action
Floor covering $200
Includes some minor patching work and treatment to our concrete floor to ensure its smooth and safe.
Paint $300
Separation wall $600
A modest wall of wooden construction to separate our current office area/green room, which will adjoin to the performance space.
Extra labour $1100
We would be absolutely thrilled if we made our target with your help of course and if you're wondering what happens to any extra cash if we exceed it, we would like to put it towards upgrading the Polyester PA and microphones, as well as purchasing a basic permanent backline for bands to use - drumkit without accessories, bass cabinet/head, etc. Would be a sweet setup huh?
The Challenges
Whilst finding it tough to make ends both meet now and in the final stages of closing the Flinders Lane store, the greatest challenge we face in achieving our goals at the Fitzroy store is the financial challenge - how can we get back on track with making the store a fun space to share with bands and customers again without having to put cash away for the costs involved over what could potentially be months or up to a year, which would be a feat in itself following the financial changes that Polyester Records has had to go through to pass into this next phase. Ultimately, we need your help to create something that we can all share that's about more than money spent in the long term or short term, it's about having a place where the only things that matter are music and people for a couple of hours every week or so.
A sweet digital mixtape exclusively featuring artists who have played instores at Polyester Records, handpicked by us! A download will be emailed to you within a day of making your pledge.
17 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 14
A Polyester Records t-shirt featuring our most recent design, black print on white cotton tee, printed by our friends at Too Far Gone Screenprinting. Pick up from the store preferred but get in touch with us through the Pozible site to organise postage if required.
90 chosen
Est. delivery is Jul 14
A Polyester Records t-shirt bag featuring our most recent design, black print on white cotton tee, as well as our first ever tote bag, printed by our friends at Too Far Gone Screenprinting. Pick up from the store preferred but get in touch with us through the Pozible site to organise postage if required.
27 chosen
Est. delivery is Jul 14
A gift voucher to spend in our store to the value of $20. Pick up from the store preferred but get in touch with us through the Pozible site to organise postage if required.
4 chosen / 6 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
A gift voucher to spend in our store to the value of $20 and our first ever Polyester Records tote bag, printed by our pals at Too Far Gone Screenprinting. Pick up from the store preferred but get in touch with us through the Pozible site to organise postage if required.
11 chosen / 4 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
A prize pack of music kindly donated by some of our favourite labels and associates! Packs are assembled with titles from Chapter Music, Bedroom Suck Records, Cosmic Psychos, Two Bright Lakes, Sensory Projects, Inertia Music, Lost & Lonesome, Aarght Records, Rice Is Nice & OSCL Records, while they last! Pick up from the store preferred but get in touch with us through the Pozible site to organise postage if required.
65 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
The Stevens/A-Mac Pack
A glorious and lovingly assembled pack of goodies courtest of the multi-skilled Alex Macfarlane of The Stevens, The Twerps, Teen Archer, Backwards Zombie, et al. Includes The Stevens 'A History Of Hygiene' vinyl LP, a test pressing of the self titled 7", a Stevens tshirt and badges set and a handful of exculsive hand drawn illustrations by Alex himself. Exclusive much!
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Aug 14
One of only 3 discount cards which entitles you to 15% off all LPs, CDs, DVDs & books - FOREVER! Pick up from the store preferred but get in touch with us through the Pozible site to organise postage if required. (note: discount does not apply to already reduced items, vouchers or tickets)
3 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
Super rare collection of 3 original screen printed posters designed by Frank Kozik, which have been Polyester heirlooms for around 20 years! Pick up from the store preferred but get in touch with us through the Pozible site to organise postage if required.
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
HARMONY play your house!
Harmony will play at your house party! For the mere sum of $300, you can have one of Melbourne's finest rock music groups play for you and as many people as you care to muster. Polyester will handle the booking logistics and you organise the party. Please note that the event must be scheduled in early to mid October, 2014 and must be within metropolitan Melbourne. Massive thanks to Harmony and their management for this reward!
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Oct 14
S&CW; play your house!
Scott & Charlene's Wedding will play at your house party! For the mere sum of $302, you'll have one of Melbourne's finest indie rock ensembles play for your and every last one of your friends. Polyester will handle the booking logistics and you organise the party. Please note that the event must be scheduled during July or August, 2014 but the band are unavailable on 19, 27 Jul & 22, 23, 29 Aug. Also must be within metro Melbourne. Huge thanks to S&CW; & their label Bedroom Suck for this reward!
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Aug 14
#1 Meredith 2014 ticket
For just a little more than it would normally cost, you can have the first ticket released for the 2014 Meredith Music Festival! As fans know, it sells out every year and this is a great way to lock it in early as well as have a little keepsake from this year's installment of Australia's best music festival (we reckon)!
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Nov 14
Polyester's famous smoking man neon sign, which has enjoyed pride of place up high in our Fitzroy store virtually since the beginning! He could be yours!
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
Commission your very own oil painting by Tracy Ellerton! Melbourne-based artist Tracy Ellerton will paint a wistful music-related (or not!) portrait of yourself, someone you love or anything else you might want really, based on your instruction. Tracy will turn your ideas into a one off work in her recognisable oil paint style, which will be yours forever. We are huge fans of Tracy's work and she has long been a supporter of independent music retail in Melbourne.
2 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Aug 14