PEKIN, Ill – Co-Op Records in Pekin is scheduled to close its doors for good September 30.

The iconic store opened in 1998.

Owner Denny Smith, who now lives in Nashville and is pursuing a music career, tells WMBD’s “The Phil Luciano Show” he simply has too much on his plate to run the business adequately.

“I play in a band and I’m also a stage hand and a visual technician,” Smith said. “(For example) Next week I do a Katy Perry show and I do Vince Gill on Saturday night, and Linkin Park on Thursday. Those are long days and I’m trying to do that and then somebody calls and says ‘Hey, the credit card machine’s not working.’”

Smith emphasizes the decision to close the store was his and his alone.

“My landlord’s not kicking me out. They want me to stay. I have opted not to renew my lease,

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