ROUGH TRADE RETAIL STORE TO OPEN IN BROOKLYN

Here's the press spiel, but be sure to check out exclusive news surrounding this exciting event for New York in the weeks and months to come right here @ IRT.

Today Williamsburg, tomorrow the Garden State Plaza and Roosevelt Field? Here's hoping, kids. -Ed.

Rough Trade Retail Group (RTRG) proudly announces the forthcoming opening of Rough Trade NYC, Williamsburg, New York, USA.

Due to open in Autumn this year, Rough Trade NYC will offer a large saturnalia for music lovers of all ages (even larger than multi-award winning Rough Trade East, London, UK).

In addition to being a place to discover, browse, debate and purchase the finest recorded music, Rough Trade NYC will partner with The Bowery Presents to feature a live performance area for in-store gigs, as well as operating at night as an intimate live music venue. The Bowery Presents has a strong history of operating first class concert venues including the Music Hall of Williamsburg located in the same neighborhood as Rough Trade NYC.

Rough Trade NYC will pay particular attention to its transatlantic dynamic by linking-up with Rough Trade's London stores, encouraging customers (and artists) in each country to interact across the ocean.

"At long last, we can finally confirm the next bold step in our evolution" says Rough Trade's co-owner, Stephen Godfroy. "We're extremely excited at the prospect of handing over the 'blank canvas', that is a Rough Trade store, to the music lovers of New York, allowing them make it their own culture agora, just as the people of London have so successfully achieved, with downturn-defying results."

"The Bowery Presents has always maintained a commitment to developing artists at the inception of their career, with Rough Trade NYC we have that opportunity in an exciting neighborhood and we are excited about the retail store and venue combination concept" says John Moore, partner, The Bowery Presents.

Rough Trade NYC also heralds the forthcoming arrival of a US version of the new, soon to launch, roughtrade.com online store, which will offer MP3 downloads alongside CD and vinyl, complete with subscription services.