Now I'm writing this based solely on hearsay but given my brief experience with the company, if the following is true then I'm honestly not surprised.

So the two dudes that own my former employer -- let's call them Kevin Smolen and Steve Stander (not their actual names but with a little research you'll see exactly what changes I made) -- sold the company that they've owned jointly for thirty years apparently a little while ago. Nothing wrong with that, it's their company they can do what they want.

Here's the part that sucks they just told their employees of the sale this week and as of tomorrow everyone that works in the company's warehouse will be out of a job. They were just informed of this YESTERDAY. Now I don't remember how many people usually worked at the warehouse but it was too big a chunk to just dump on the street like this with no warning. They didn't tell them of this because they didn't want everyone quitting.

I can't believe this. I've also heard that the Owings Mills store is closing but I have not yet heard about what will happen to the remaining 8(?) stores. I was only with the company for a year and I had my issues with the way it was run but I also met a ton of cool people and none of them deserve this.

Like I said, it's the owners' company and theoretically they can do what they want. But at the same time, they owe it to everyone working there who worked hard (for very little money) who helped stuff their fat wallets to at least give them time to find new jobs. If all of what I've heard and printed here is true then I have to say I am completely disgusted that I was ever associated with this company. Again, I wish all the best to the staff and hope whomever is not retained (IF anybody is retained) is able to quickly find gainful employment.

In the meantime I'm removing Record & Tape Traders from my resume (and taking the stupid 30th Anniversary celebration bumper sticker off my car.) I'm also amending my title: The Owners of Record & Tape Traders SUCK.