UPTOWN — Walking into Shake, Rattle and Read is like entering the past. Vintage cassettes, original soundtracks on vinyl and books as old as 100 years are everywhere. The regulars are laughing and chatting, and any newcomers walk around starstruck.
But that enchanting view will no longer exist after May 21.
Ric Addy, the owner of the Uptown staple located at 4812 N. Broadway, is retiring and moving to Florida, closing the door on the 50-year-old store as he leaves.
"It's a bittersweet ending, but I am ready to move on," Addy said.
The shop was packed Saturday with regulars visiting one last time, grabbing their favorite books and cassettes. Addy also added a personalized, fun element to the closing — a poster that advertised "take a picture with the one and only Ric Addy."
People stood in line to take pictures with him.
Addy received an honorary award from the City Council of Chicago Friday for running his successful business in the Uptown neighborhood.
The 64-year-old store owner will continue to sell books and music via Ebay and Amazon after the move to Florida.
David Koepp, a regular customer, replied "Heaven" when DNAinfo asked what the store was to him. "This store has everything - mystery, science, literature," said Koepp, who also designed posters for Shake, Rattle and Read's window.
Lindsey Foreman, another regular and a Prince fan, is always on the lookout for Prince items. He walked away Saturday with rare finds like albums, sleeves and magazines.
"Ric is so great at finding rare collectibles," Foreman said. "This store is legendary. They don't make stores like this anymore."
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