CUMMING, Ga. — The owner of a record store says he’s devastated after a fire damaged or destroyed four thousand classic vinyl albums, two weeks before the store was about to open.
Bob Johnson owns His Rock Music. He told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that the store has been in several other locations throughout the years and he had just rented space on Dahlonega Highway in Cumming.
"It's pretty devastating. This has been my life for the past five years. Music is my passion. I grew up with this music, classic rock," Johnson said.
Last Thursday night, a fire -- apparently sparked by an electrical problem in an adjoining business -- spread into Johnson's store. Not only did he lose thousands of records, but a new sound board and speakers.
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"We're looking at about $30,000 lost," Johnson said.
The former youth pastor told Regan that he set up a concert stage in earlier stores to help fund aspiring young musicians and artists and give them the opportunity to perform.
"Carolyn Riley, one of my regulars, was on 'The Voice' this year. The vinyl was what generated the money to do the stuff I did with the kids on stage," Johnson said.
Johnson told Regan that the business wasn't insured, and he plans to open in another location. He said he’s already getting offers of help with inventory.
"I got eight to 10 people who say they're going to donate a box of records. We have several benefit concerts that are being put together by some people. So that will be good," Johnson said.
He said a member of his church has set up a GoFundMe account to take donations.
“No worries. The big thing is nobody was injured. Stuff is stuff. It can be replaced,” Johnson said.