Ear X-tacy
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Music) |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | John Timmons |
| Defunct | 2011-10-31 |
| Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky , United States |
| Products | CDs, vinyl records, cassettes, DVDs |
ear X-tacy was an alternative record store located in Louisville, Kentucky, owned and operated by John Timmons. After serving the community for 26 years, the store ceased operations on October 31, 2011.
History
Established in 1985, ear X-tacy began in a modest 500 ft2 space, initially stocked with John Timmons' personal collection of records, which he funded through a MasterCard advance. The store’s name was inspired by the band XTC. Over the course of sixteen years, ear X-tacy moved locations three times before settling on Bardstown Road in The Highlands neighborhood, where it remained until July 2010. Subsequently, it relocated approximately one mile southeast to the Douglass Loop district, still within The Highlands.
The shop offered an extensive selection of CDs, vinyl records, cassettes, and DVDs, including hard-to-find items. In 1995, Timmons expanded the business by creating the ear X-tacy record label, which supported local Louisville artists such as Tim Krekel.
Despite efforts to adapt amid financial difficulties—including downsizing in 2010—the store ultimately closed its doors in October 2011. A clearance sale was held in December to liquidate remaining stock.
Between 1992 and 1998, ear X-tacy also operated a second branch located in the Eastgate Shopping Center in Middletown.
The store’s iconic white-on-black logo stickers became a source of local cultural influence and wordplay trends.
In 2012, a documentary entitled Brick and Mortar and Love was released, chronicling the story of ear X-tacy.