J&R

{{Short description|American electronics and music retailer (1971–2014)}}

{{Infobox company

| name = J&R

| logo = File:J&R_Music_and_Computer_World_Logo.jpg

| image = File:Jr-parkrow-nyc.jpg

| image_caption = J&R's Park Row location, seen in 2005

| type = Private

| foundation = {{start date and age|1971}}

| founders = {{ublist|Joseph Friedman |Rachelle Friedman}}

| location = New York City, New York

| locations = 2 (April 2014; at time of main store closing)

| key_people =

| num_employees =

| products = Retail - Electronics

| defunct = {{end date and age|2014|4|9}}

| fate = Reopened as "J&R Express" and later closed

| website = {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20161122010903/http://jr.com/|Last snapshot of archives website (2016)}}

}}

J&R was an electronics and music retailer, based in New York City, United States. It had a well-known retail location on Park Row in Civic Center, Manhattan, across from New York City Hall, from 1971 to 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.jr.com/information/content.jsp?contentPath=/Content/media/html/information/aboutJR.html |title=JR.com: About J&R |access-date=February 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205154009/http://www.jr.com/information/content.jsp?contentPath=%2FContent%2Fmedia%2Fhtml%2Finformation%2FaboutJR.html |archive-date=February 5, 2012}} J&R stands for the founders Joe and Rachelle Friedman who established the company in 1971 after emigrating separately from Israel as young children.{{cite news |title=Small Businesses Struggle to Recover |publisher=Associated Press |date=September 4, 2003 |url=https://apnews.com/64cbfca5e2289aa05e897984eba7905f |first=Joyce M. |last=Rosenberg|access-date=July 24, 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Cave|first=Damien|date=August 28, 2004|title=Preparing for the Convention: Snapshots; Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Elephant?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/28/nyregion/preparing-for-the-convention-snapshots-who-s-afraid-of-the-big-bad-elephant.html|access-date=July 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} The heavily trafficked store had expanded from selling LPs to eventually encompassing J&R Music World and J&R Computer World, selling everything from Blu-ray Disc players to the latest electronic gadgets.{{cite web|url=http://www.jr.com/information/newsArticles.jsp |title=JR.com: J&R In The News |access-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502131000/http://www.jr.com/information/newsArticles.jsp |archive-date=May 2, 2013 |author=}}

J&R also had a location at Columbia University, which closed in late 2002.{{cite news |title=J&R Computer World Departs; Campus Location Is Still Empty |url=http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2003/02/11/jr-computer-world-departs-campus-location-still-empty |newspaper=Columbia Spectator |last=Iosifescu |first=Alice |date=February 11, 2003 |volume=CXXVII |number=16 |page=1|access-date=July 24, 2020}} J&R later opened a J&R Express at the bottom level of Macy's Herald Square[http://www1.macys.com/store/event/index.ognc?action=search&storeId=70 Macy*s - Our Stores - Events - Events] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515214924/http://www1.macys.com/store/event/index.ognc?action=search&storeId=70 |date=May 15, 2006 }} in 2006,{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2006/08/21/jr-store-to-open-in-macys-flagship/ |title=J&R Store To Open In Macy's Flagship |newspaper=New York Post |date=August 21, 2006 |first=Kirsten |last=Fleming|access-date=July 24, 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/joins-forces-macy-article-1.623730 |title=J&R Joins Forces With Macy's |date=August 22, 2006 |newspaper=New York Daily News |first=Elizabeth |last=Lazarowitz}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/grand-article-1.655805 |title=A Grand Welcome For J&R |date=August 24, 2006 |newspaper=New York Daily News |first=Elizabeth |last=Lazarowitz|access-date=July 24, 2020}} and which was later closed in 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.dealerscope.com/article/jandr-has-closed-its-jandr-express-store-macy-s-herald-square-new-york/1# |title=J&R Closes J&R Express |website=Dealerscope |date=August 6, 2012 |first=Jeff |last=O’Heir|access-date=July 24, 2020}}

History

In 1971, 20-year-old newlyweds Joseph and Rachelle Friedman started J&R as a small consumer electronics store selling stereos and television sets in a 500 square foot store front at 23 Park Row{{cite news |url=http://www.newsday.com/business/the-hits-keep-coming-j-r-music-computer-world-thrives-by-satisfying-its-customers-1.419914 |title=The Hits Keep Coming / J&R Music & Computer World thrives by satisfying its customers |newspaper=Newsday |date=February 3, 2001 |first=Tami |last=Luhby|access-date=July 24, 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/j-r-electronics-inc-history/ |title=J&R Electronics Inc. History |date= |author=}} The couple saw it as a side project, selling TVs and stereos out of a 500 square foot store, as Rachelle studied at Polytechnic University (New York) in Brooklyn.{{Cite news|last=Miller|first=Stuart|date=October 23, 2013|title=J&R Alters the Blocklong Layout It's Known For|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/24/nyregion/jr-alters-the-blocklong-layout-its-known-for.html|access-date=July 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}

After customers started to ask about obtaining music to play on their new stereos, J&R started to carry records and tapes. Computers, digital accessories and other electronics products followed. As it grew, J&R expanded into a series of adjacent storefronts on Park Row, so that the store stretched for nearly a full block by the mid-1990s, with each storefront providing entry to a different department. The large overall store was increasingly successful and crowded with customers.

A mail order division was started in 1974.{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qwkEAAAAMBAJ&q=Rachelle+Friedman+started+J%26R%27s+catalog+business+in+1974&pg=PA60 |title=The Product's In The Mail: Started As A Sideline, J&R's Mail-Order Division Has Sent Sales Soaring |magazine=Billboard |date=June 15, 1996 |first=Kara |last=Dioguardi |page=JR-10}} It was supported by a company owned warehouse located in Maspeth in Queens. Internet orders were later fulfilled from this location.

In 2006, J&R opened J&R Express, a 3,500 square foot store within a store inside the Macy's Herald Square store. The store carried MP3 players, digital cameras, computers, CDs, DVDs and cell phones. The store also accepted the Macy’s credit card as payment. The store was quietly closed in 2012. Macy's previously tried to sell consumer electronics at the same location with other outside vendors twice in the previous decade.{{cite news |url=http://www.twice.com/news/news/jr-closes-macys-express-shop-now/44400 |title=J&R Closes Macy's Express Shop, For Now |magazine=Twice |date=August 6, 2012 |first=Alan |last=Wolf}}

In 2013, J&R consolidated into two buildings, ceding storefronts to new tenants and transforming into a vertical store. After a disappointing 2013 holiday season, J&R settled about $15 million in outstanding vendor claims in February 2014.{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2014/04/11/the-music-stops-for-jr-on-park-row/ |title=The music stops for J&R on Park Row |newspaper=New York Post |date=April 11, 2014 |first=James |last=Covert}}

The {{convert|171,000|sqft}} company owned warehouse facility in Maspeth was listed on the real estate market beginning in October 2013.{{cite web|author=|date=|title=Premier 1-Story Distribution Facility - 171,000 SQ FT; 58-75-59-21 Queens Midtown Expressway, Maspeth, NY 11378|url=http://www.pinnaclereny.com/detail.php?id=252|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030145626/http://pinnaclereny.com/detail.php?id=252|archive-date=October 30, 2013|access-date=June 22, 2014|website=Pinnacle Realty}}{{cite web|author=|date=|title=59-21 Queens Midtown Expressway, Maspeth, NY, 11378 - Available for Sale|url=http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17983327/59-21-Queens-Midtown-Expressway-Maspeth-NY/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621030414/http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17983327/59-21-Queens-Midtown-Expressway-Maspeth-NY/|archive-date=June 21, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014|website=LoopNet}} In addition to left-over merchandise, warehouse and other processing equipment used by the company were auctioned off in late May and again in June.{{cite web|author=|date=|title=Public Auction Sale: HUGE QUANTITY WAREHOUSE & SHIPPING SUPPLIES - MASPETH, NY|url=http://www.auctionzip.com/Listings/2123048.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621033621/http://www.auctionzip.com/Listings/2123048.html|archive-date=June 21, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014|website=AuctionZip}}{{cite web|author=|date=|title=Exec Office Furniture / Workstations / Equipment / Supplies; Monday, June 23, 2014 at 11:30 AM; 59-21 Queens Midtown Expressway, Maspeth, NY 11378|url=http://asmauctioneers.com/auctiondetails2.html|access-date=June 22, 2014|website=ASM Auctioneers Inc.}}

On April 9, 2014, J&R closed its Park Row store, with a redevelopment plan to be announced.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/exclusive-shutting-electronics-store-article-1.1751239 |newspaper=New York Daily News |title=J&R shutting down New York City electronics store |date=April 9, 2014 |first=Phyllis |last=Furman|access-date=July 24, 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Swarns|first=Rachel L.|date=April 13, 2014|title=Saying Farewell to a Business That Turned Into an Identity|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/14/nyregion/saying-farewell-to-a-business-that-turned-into-an-identity.html|access-date=July 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|last=Southall|first=Ashley|date=April 10, 2014|title=J & R Closes Manhattan Store for a Redesign|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/nyregion/j-r-closes-manhattan-store-for-a-redesign.html|access-date=July 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2014/04/jr_music_closes.php |title=J&R Music Abruptly Closes Its Doors |newspaper=Village Voice |date=April 11, 2014 |first=Chaz |last=Kangas|access-date=July 24, 2020}} Remaining merchandise were liquidated through a two-day auction in the middle of May 2014.{{Cite news|last=Bashan|first=Yoni|date=May 14, 2014|title=Inventory Going, Going, Gone at J&R in Manhattan|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/inventory-going-going-gone-at-j-r-in-manhattan-1400031326|access-date=July 24, 2020|issn=0099-9660}}{{cite news |url=http://www.twice.com/news/retail/jr-auctioning-inventory/43421 |title=J&R Auctioning Off Inventory |date=May 12, 2014 |newspaper=Twice |first=Alan |last=Wolf|access-date=July 24, 2020}} On April 25, 2014, J&R's web site stated that the owners planned to "rebuild this location into what we hope will be an unprecedented retailing concept and social mecca", also stating that they "look[ed] forward to sharing more details of these changes in the coming months." The page included an artist's conception of what the location would look like.{{cite web|title=JR.com: Park Row Redevelopment|url=http://www.jr.com/|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425173220/http://www.jr.com/|archive-date=April 25, 2014|access-date=July 24, 2015}}

On August 12, 2014, J&R announced that they planned to open a 1,500 square foot J&R Express store inside the flagship location of the Century 21 Department Store in Manhattan by October 2014.{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2014/08/13/iconic-jr-to-re-open-as-boutique-inside-century-21/ |title=Iconic J&R to re-open as boutique inside Century 21 |newspaper=New York Post |date=August 13, 2014 |first=James |last=Covert}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jr.com/ |title=JR.com: J&R Forms Partnership with Century 21 Department Store |access-date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824040228/http://www.jr.com/ |archive-date=August 24, 2014}} Twice magazine reported that the new store would have a format similar to that used by the store that was within Macy's Herald Square store and which closed in 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.twice.com/news/retail/jr-returning-department-store-boutique/49858 |title=J&R Returning As Department Store Boutique: New York – They're b-a-a-a-c-k. |magazine=Twice |date=August 13, 2014 |first=Alan |last=Wolf}} Billboard Magazine reported that J&R planned to sell audio and video hardware, computers, and electronics, along with some music (including vinyl) and movies.{{cite news |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6214507/jr-music-world-to-re-open-in-october |title=J&R Music World to Re-Open in October |magazine=Billboard |date=August 13, 2014 |first=Ed |last=Christman| access-date=July 24, 2020}} J&R Express at Century 21 opened in November 2014.{{cite news |url=http://ny.racked.com/archives/2014/11/03/jr_express_century21.php |title=J&R, Century 21 Bonded Over Pioneering Post-9/11 Retail |date=November 3, 2014 |first=Laura |last=Gurfein |website=Racked NY| access-date=July 24, 2020}} Sometime between May and June 2016, J&R ceased their business relationship with Century with J&R Express being last recorded on the Century 21 website in an Internet Archive snapshot of March 14{{cite web |url=https://www.c21stores.com/pages/tech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314035638/https://www.c21stores.com/pages/tech |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |url-status=unfit |title=Tech |publisher=Century 21 |date= |author=}} and in the snapshot of the J&R website of May 5.{{cite web |url=http://jr.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505030839/http://jr.com/ |archive-date=May 5, 2016 |url-status=unfit |title=J&R Express Now at Century 21 |publisher=J&R |date= |author=}} By June 2, all mentions of J&R Express had been removed from both websites.{{cite web |url=https://www.c21stores.com/pages/tech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613043144/https://www.c21stores.com/pages/tech |archive-date=June 13, 2016 |url-status=unfit |title=Tech |publisher=Century 21 |date= |author=}}{{cite web |url=http://jr.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602043958/http://jr.com/ |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |url-status=unfit |title=Park Row Redevelopment |publisher=J&R |date= |author=}}

Meanwhile, some of the buildings on Park Row that formerly housed J&R were demolished, starting in January 2016.{{cite news |url=http://therealdeal.com/2016/01/26/lm-to-demolish-four-retail-buildings-on-park-row/ |title=L+M to demolish four retail buildings on Park Row: The FiDi site at 23-33 Park Row has more than 200,000 buildable sf |magazine=The Real Deal |date=January 26, 2016 |first=Kathryn |last=Brenzel| access-date=July 24, 2020}} Other buildings, which were leased, were being redeveloped primarily for residential housing, such as the landmarked Park Row Building at 15 Park Row.{{cite news |url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/2015/07/02/block-that-housed-j-r-readies-for-next-phase/ |title=Block that housed J & R readies for next phase |website=Downtown Express |date=July 2, 2015 |first=Dusica Sue |last=Malesevic| access-date=July 24, 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://tribecacitizen.com/2015/06/15/double-demolition-on-park-row/ |title=Double Demolition on Park Row |website=Tribeca Citizen |date=June 15, 2015 | access-date=July 24, 2020}} In April 2016, it was reported in the New York real estate press that J&R filed for a building permit to build a 53 story residential building on the demolished site.{{cite news |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160418/financial-district/53-story-tower-planned-for-site-of-former-jr-building |title=53-Story Tower Planned for Site of Former J&R Building |website=DNAinfo New York |date=April 18, 2016 |first=Irene |last=Plagianos |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829043229/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160418/financial-district/53-story-tower-planned-for-site-of-former-jr-building |archive-date=August 29, 2016 | access-date=July 24, 2020}} By late 2018, the former 25 Park Row site had been replaced by a 50-story, 110-unit, luxury condo building with residential unit prices ranging from $1.7 million for one-bedrooms to about $7 million for four-bedrooms, or approximately {{convert|2500|$/ft|$/m}},{{cite web | last=Warerkar | first=Tanay | title=J&R-replacing Financial District skyscraper will have condos from $1.7M | website=Curbed NY | date=October 29, 2018 | url=https://ny.curbed.com/2018/10/29/18038006/25-park-row-jr-music-condo-renderings-cookfox | access-date=July 24, 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Hughes|first=C. J.|date=October 29, 2018|title=A Former Downtown Music Mecca Becomes Condos|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/realestate/a-former-downtown-music-mecca-becomes-condos.html|access-date=July 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} called 25 Park Row.{{cite web |url=https://25parkrow.com/ |title=25 Park Row}} According to the Internet Archive, the jr.com website was taken down sometime between January 5{{cite web|url=http://jr.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105070024/http://jr.com/ |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |url-status=dead |title=Park Row Redevelopment |publisher=J&R}} and January 17, 2017, when Network Solutions regained control of the website for resale.{{cite web|url=http://jr.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117215230/http://www.jr.com/ |archive-date=January 17, 2017 |url-status=dead |title=Domain Available |publisher=Network Solutions}} The remaining website at [https://web.archive.org/web/20220801000000*/http://jandr.com/ http://jandr.com/], which has been unreachable since late 2022, formerly said, "Stay tuned for exciting updates..."

Online sales

With the main J&R location just a block from the World Trade Center site, the company lost millions of dollars of electronic equipment due to the September 11, 2001 attacks. But, the company's growing online sales helped sustain the company. J&R had an Amazon Marketplace agreement with Amazon.com to sell merchandise through that channel, in addition to its own online store.{{cite news |title=J&R Adds Retail Space As Web Sales Rise |url=http://www.twice.com/news/retail/jr-adds-retail-space-web-sales-rise/6214 |last=Wolf |first=Alan |date=November 22, 2004 |publisher=TWICE| access-date=July 24, 2020}} By May 6, 2014, the firm had closed down its website{{cite news |url=http://www.twice.com/news/retail/jr-shuts-e-commerce-site/42210 |title=J&R Shuts E-Commerce Site |newspaper=TWICE |first=Alan |last=Wolf |date=May 6, 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.internetretailer.com/2014/05/07/jr-electronics-unplugs-e-commerce-site |title=J&R Electronics unplugs its e-commerce site |website=Internet Retailer |date=May 7, 2014 |first=Bill |last=Briggs| access-date=July 24, 2020}} but continued to sell through Amazon.com and eBay. J&R appeared to be liquidating its existing inventory via these marketplaces and did not show significant stock in major categories such as digital cameras. Both J&R storefronts on eBay and Amazon had ceased to offer any merchandise for sale by June 2014 after the series of liquidation auctions had occurred at both the former Manhattan store and the Maspeth warehouse in Queens.

Summerfest

Since the summer of 2002, J&R had sponsored an annual music festival in City Hall Park, featuring R&B and other performers. In June 2007, Summerfest performers included Mario, Bobby Valentino, Tank, Carl Thomas, Collie Buddz, and Canadian Brass.{{cite news|url=http://eurweb.com/story/eur34329.cfm |title=LIV WARFIELD TO PERFORM AT J&R SUMMERFEST: Singer to Take the Stage Along With Mario, Carl Thomas and More. J&R was located one block from the famous Pace University. |publisher=Eurweb.com |date=June 14, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200001/http://eurweb.com/story/eur34329.cfm |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/06152007/entertainment/weekend/fairs__fests__etc____weekend_.htm |title=Fairs, Fests, Etc... |publisher=New York Post |date=June 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813210014/http://www.nypost.com/seven/06152007/entertainment/weekend/fairs__fests__etc____weekend_.htm |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |url-status=dead |author=}}