X-Ray Records moves fully online
After decades of shaping the local music scene and providing the city a vintage touch, Regina’s X-Ray Records has officially closed its doors.
Known for its diverse and extensive vinyl collection, commitment to underground music and for fostering a communal space for music lovers, the closure marks the end of an era for both X-Ray’s regular customers and the wider cultural landscape of Regina. X-Ray closed its doors on Feb. 28.
According to current owner Noah Biegler, the storefront closing sale offered 40 per cent off vinyl and 50 per cent off CDs. “I’m kind of whatever with it now,” said Biegler. “It’s a part of doing business, I guess.”
Deeply saddened by the passing of the original owner, Dave Kuzenko, in 2023, Biegler took over X-Ray several months after Kuzenko’s death.
Sharing more about his background with the industry, Biegler mentioned that his aunt “owns some local businesses downtown, too.”He also said he has “background in running local businesses and just kind of knowing the ins and outs of it.”
Biegler also plays in two bands. ““A band called FPG, and another band called Passerby. I play bass in both.”
Biegler emphasized economic struggle as the core reason for closing down the store. “People just don’t have extra money right now, and records aren’t really a necessity. Overhead is crazy, rent’s crazy, and [there are] the rising prices of vinyl. Regina is just also a tough town to do business in. It’s really weird like that,” shared Biegler.
Since the store’s opening in 1987, Biegler and Kuzenko maintained their own clientele, which is a mixed demographic . A lot of “old vinyl heads, like a lot of guys that collected vinyl and were younger in the ‘70s and ‘80s and had sold their collection when CDs came in,” said Biegler. Others had been “ collecting throughout that whole period. And then a lot of younger people that are just getting into vinyl now and stuff like that.”
Biegler emphasized that X-Ray has only closed its storefront and will continue to have the online store. “Everything we have in-store is listed on our online store. We ship out. We also do local pickup. If you’re from Regina, you can just choose local pickup and not have to pay the shipping price.”
Biegler added that some Regina customers take advantage of the free shipping when order over $125 before taxes.
Prices range between $29 to $60, depending on the record. Located in a community where X-ray fostered good friendships, Biegler said that there is no real competition for their business.
The closing of X-Ray Records is a gentle reminder of the value that independent record stores bring to their communities. While the store may no longer be a physical fixture, its legacy lives on in Regina.
