By Kathy Chouteau
Harrod Blank of Les Blank Films and the Arhoolie Foundation purchased their shared building at 10341 San Pablo Ave. on May 7 for $2.4 million from the estate of Chris Strachwitz, confirmed the store on Facebook and staffer John Pitts. Down Home Foundation will continue as a tenant.
Strachwitz, the founder of Down Home Music and the then-Arhoolie Records, passed in May 2023.
On their building capital campaign’s GoFundMe page, the trio said their collective aim will be to draw inspiration from the work of founders Chris Strachwitz and Les Blank, who spent their lives documenting and sharing culture, and view the building as a living museum, event space and music store.
“It will be a place where our community can come together for film screenings, performances, exhibitions, and classes. The Arhoolie Foundation, Les Blank Films, and Down Home Music Store are working together to make this vision a reality.”
With the sale, Down Home Music Store will transition to the nonprofit Down Home Music Foundation as it works to keep its joint vision with its founder alive, the store stated on its website. A joint message that was posted thanked the community for believing in them and supporting them.
Amid the uplifting news of their building’s purchase, the struggle continues for the music store. Pitts said that Strachwitz’ trust is going to be taking all of Down Home Music Store’s inventory starting May 27-29.
“We are in need of LPs and 45s specifically, or any kind of financial donations,” said Pitts, who said they would be tax deductible and that memorabilia was also appreciated. He said the store will have to close for a few days, but should reopen by the second week in June.”
Contact Down Home Music Store at (510) 525-2129 or mail@downhomemusic.com to inquire about making financial and inventory donations. A separate GoFundMe for this purpose has also been set up.
Pitts confirmed a celebration is planned to mark the building purchase, but a date has not been set yet.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct parties that purchased the building.