Home > Blogs > Battle of the Band > Archives > 2008 > November > 16 > Entry
Dingleberry’s in Yellow Springs is closing
Another local record store is closing up shop.
Dingleberry’s in Yellow Springs are closing their doors for good on Christmas Eve of this year.
But, Dingleberry’s owner, Adrienne Savage, wants patrons to know that there is “No need for the hanky.”
“We’ve had a good run, and for a half a dozen valid reasons, it’s time to move on,” said Savage.
The original Dingleberry’s, which was opened in 1974 in Centerville, closed in February 2006. The Yellow Springs store carried on the legacy for nearly three years longer.
Dingleberry’s long history includes visits by the biggest names in the industry. Michael Jackson, Ted Nugent, Todd Rundgren, Charlie Daniels, Journey, Dokken, Queensryche, Poison, Pantera, the Cranberries, L7, the Melvins, and Mindless Self Indulgence are only a few who have shopped at Dingleberry’s over the years.
Much of the memorabilia from the original store is still on display in Yellow Springs. Some of it is even being sold as the Dingle-era comes to an end.
Dingleberry’s has always been supportive of local music and bands. They have always allowed bands to hang posters and sell their cds in the store. They also employed many struggling local musicians over the years (including myself).
I will really miss Dingleberry’s. I will miss the smell, the poster covered walls, the cheap vinyl, and the good-hearted people.
However, this news should be worrisome to all who shop independent. It seems that every year Dayton loses another indie-record shop or clothing shop.
I guess we will all be imprisoned to Wal-Mart and Best Buy soon.
Permalink | Comments (60) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Local Music
Comments
By JenJen
December 19, 2008 1:23 AM | Link to this
I am very sad to hear this. I worked in the original Dingleberry’s, 1984-1985, my first job, really. Such great times those were! Greg was always such a great boss. So very sorry to hear he had passed. It would be fun to get the old Dingleberry’s employees together for one last reunion at Dingleberry’s in Yellow Springs before it’s gone. Best of luck and love to you and your family, Savage Girls!By Scott
November 28, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
While this is a sad day indeed fear not fans of non-mainstream music, we can always order music online. I would hope the owners of Dingleberry’s would look at this as a possible option. We should -never- have to resort to such stores as Wal-Mart and Best Buy for our music. Never.By Luann
November 24, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
So sorry to hear this sad news, but in today’s economic climate I guess I am not surprised. I used to work in the Centerville store and look back fondly on those crazy years. Best. Job. Ever. Best of luck to Bev, Adrienne, Leslie and Stacy. Keep on keeping on!By Britt
November 19, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
It’s sad to hear that Dingleberry’s has to go. I lived very close to the one in Centerville…I would walk up there all the time and spend hours in there. R.I.P. Dingleberry’s and take care Savage Girls! You did a great job! Thanks for having such a great, chill music shop.By dingle dangle
November 18, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
so sad. i always loved the smell of dingleberriesBy galen
November 18, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
sad indeed.back in the day dingleberrys and arrow wine next to each was quite the combo, rode my bike down there in the winter just to get out of the house. had the good luck of working at the one in ys for a christmas one year. sad to hear. rip dingleberrys. good luck on your next endeavors.By 12penguins
November 18, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Amazing how many people cannot recognize an attempt at humor. If you read the many blogs about store/restaurant closings in the past year, The Greene is almost always to blame. Never anything to do with crappy service or a lousy product, but always The Greene. General Surplus, Peerless Mill owners did not look at themselves for blame at all. Dingleberry’s was an excellent local store and I am sorry to see it go, but I thought at least some of you might be able to appreciate the attempt at ironic humor.By Alex O.
November 17, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Best of luck Savages, I have the highest regard for your family and very fond memories of the store. From disastrous radio remotes to wasting time pretending to care about world music waiting for PJ or Jeff to get off work. I guess it’s fitting my t-shirt is black. Come see me if you are in PDX sometime A. Take Care Dayton, I miss you but this kind of sad civic event is why I left.By Roxy
November 17, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
I have fond memories of Dingleberry’s. I moved here in ‘75 and used to frequent it quite a bit. I still wear a pair of dangly earrings I bought there and people compliment me on them all the time since they’re so unique. They had some great jewelry.By Wordell
November 17, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
Good people with hearts of gold. Anything and everything musically was available…their “search engine” was human, due to knowledge, “being there” and a love for why they were in business, and a “love for thier customers”, (and, ohhhh, in the closet>>>profit) Access to the “computer” to find what you wanted, was the last resort. It was phone calls, asking across the store, if anyone had info for what a customer needed. We have lost an absolute storehouse of musical knowledge with their closing. Wish I had lots of money to help them stay in business. Capitalism has been good to all of us, even those opposed to it…but some aspects of it are overpowering. You win…you lose. Life. Try to to the bst you can….and Digleberrys was the best. I now have to “adjust” myself to dealing with Wordell/Cooter/Lamar/Biff behind the counter at “Music is Us” to find what I need. Dear God, please help me hold my temper.By Anon
November 17, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
Blame-blame-blame, did you READ the article? They just are done, time to let it go. Maybe the fact that you can buy online music for your Ipods and MP3 players had something to do with this, not Bush or the Greene.By Barry
November 17, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
o.k. so the greene is going to become the new whipping post for everything that is unhappy in our area these days? is there even a record store in the greene? what are you going to do when Bush is out of office and you can’t blame everything on him?By Barry
November 17, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
back when I was in school we used to take trips out to yellow springs for Dingleberrys and Dark Star ComicsBy Jennifer
November 17, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
NOOOOOOOOO!!! UGH! You will be missed.By 12penguins
November 17, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
I blame THE GREENE. How is the local small businessman supposed to compete with the Big NAtional Chain Head Shop/Record Stores?By Sam
November 17, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
I found it easy to order things there, and the people were great to work with.By Jim
November 17, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Been out in San Diego the last 30 years, but I remember driving to the original Dingleberry’s to find albums you couldn’t get at Gold Circle, Rinks or Sears; I still have a Dingleberry’s sticker on my case of cassettes in the garage.By Jade
November 17, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
I absolutely love this store. I make the 40 minute drive at least once a month to see what is new. Bye Dingleberry’s :’(By Leslie Savage
November 17, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
As the late, great Greg Savage’s daughter, I was raised in this store and it has largely contributed to who I am today and my love for music. Thanks to all of Dayton for your support over these 30+ years and for keeping the legacy alive these past 3 years in Yellow Springs. My family is forever grateful to Dayton for helping us to carry out my father’s dream that was Dingleberry’s and making it a landmark in Dayton for so many years. We will always cherish those silly radio jingles and reminisce about the good ol’ days. Thanks to all, we love you! *keep independents alive!By JOE
November 17, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the memories Savages! You were around for the best and worst of times for Yellow Springs and I will forever cherish the time spent in and around your store!By Doc
November 17, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
RIP, Dingleberry’s. You will be missed. I’m going to check out the memorabilia this weekend and see what I can pick up. Another independent gone…By Glen
November 17, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
I would have shopped there if it were closer to where I live or work. As it is, I do most of my music purchases at CD Connection in Kettering. I did occasionally shop at the Centerville Dingleberries if I was out that way, and same for the Yellow Springs store.By 12penguins
November 17, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
I blame the Greene. With all of the national chain music stores and head shops there, the local guys just don’t have a chance.By zaxl
November 17, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
bummer :(By Mike Cornett
November 17, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
I’m really bummed out:( I can’t tell you how many hours I had spent hanging out at the Centerville location. I was hoping the Yellow Springs store would be able to hold on. I wish there were a way to make independent music stores the first place to shop again.By Leslie
November 17, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
This is so very sad. I’ve always really loved Dingleberry’s.By Jim 5
November 17, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Wal-Mart and Best Buy sell drug paraphernalia?By juanita
November 17, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
shopping independent is about mom-and-pop personalized service and product satisfaction. its also a conviction. “big box” can’t compete, but we can’t become lazy.By K. B.
November 17, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
YesBy Freedomlover
November 17, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
This is great news! Maybe all those other mindless new age shops will follow suite!By Brian Beach
November 17, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Dying state of Ohio. Thanks President Bush.By Terri
November 17, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Wow- another Icon will be gone.By Michelle
November 17, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
This is really sad. I guess it is the way of the world with the popularity of digital music, but it’s still really sad to see.By Don Ho
November 17, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Yeah. Wal-Mart and Best Buy are both great for buying vinyl. Sheesh. I’m really upset about losing another indie store. The Dayton area is better than this!By Richard
November 17, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Great…. another step in homogenizing all music into the crap radio-friendly BS thats so popular now. Pretty soon we’ll all be listening to High School Musical soundtracks. UGH..By kjm762
November 17, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Another locally owned, once thriving chain that is going away. Sad that the Big-box stores have ruined the small business community. And the last Christmas for the Dingle Bears!By Mark
November 17, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Bought my first album at Dingleberry’s, Tattoo You by The Rolling Stones.By David Poe
November 17, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Best record store ever. Loved it so much I bought a jersey with the colored dancing bears on it when I was a kid. I can trace the purchase of all my seminal records to this place; they sold my record there too when I became a musician. And they had the best jingle of any local store, anywhere, ever, sung by the Dingle-Bears! “B-E-R-R-Y-apostrophe-S …” Thanks Dingleberry’s. You served a important role in my life and that of this community’s, and you’ll be missed.By Wolverine
November 17, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
I nebver really shopped there much…maybe b/c I really didn’t know what they offered until it was too late. I think it’s sad. It’s the RIGHT kind of place to buy music. Congrats on a good long run. I’ll miss the commercials, too.By Pete
November 17, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
When I was in high school, I worked with Golden Rod Music (on North Main) to get music for the Colonel White radio station. But I also visted Dingleberry’s Centerville store. Sad to think they’re both gone, and AC/DC is helping by only offering their CDs in a BIG BOX store. I’ll try to make it to Yellow Springs before they close for one last ‘hurrah.’ But, given that some people now buy most of their music online… Sigh.By Synthetic
November 17, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
I agree… this is sad in many ways but we all know music and the way its enjoyed has changed over the years and this is just a sign of times. Music no longer holds the same value it once did in American culture.By Darren
November 17, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Wow, this is very sad news, I loved Dinglebery’s. Although I had never been to the Yellow Springs store, I used to be a frequent shopper at the original Centerville store, one of the greatest record stores I had or have ever been in, along with the great old Forest stores, the late, great Peaches and Armadillo records. Truly the end of an era. Still have my Dingleberry’s shirt though and can even remember the old radio commercial jingle too, great memories of a wonderful time and place……….By Dumpster101
November 17, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Now we know the world is coming to an end.By JT
November 17, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
I made numerous pilgrimages to Centerville in my teens to go to the old store, hate to see this one closing too. There is an excellent shop on the west side of Hamilton, Galaxy CD’s. Let’s keep the indies alive!By Chris
November 17, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
I feared this day was coming. I stopped in a couple of weeks ago at lunch time and nobody was around. Looked around for a little bit, picked out a couple cd’s, but couldn’t wait any longer for someone to take my money. So, I put the stuff back in the racks and went back to work.By John F
November 17, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
This is terrible news, however Yellow Springs has always been a fervent supporter of Indie music. Dingleberry’s did have a great run. The variety of music they carried opened up many new worlds for me in my youth. I bought my first Grateful Dead album there, was turned on to the sounds of Frank Zappa and Jean Luc Ponty, and introduced to the finer points of the counter culture. To the owners, let me say a heartfelt “Thank you” for enriching my experiences growing up. It made me a better person.By American Real
November 17, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Sad to see a Maimi Valley icon fad onto the retail abyss.By kjkjk
November 17, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
That’s a total bummer. We grew-up with Dingleberry’s. Philman is still making money. Maybe they should’ve pushed the paraphernalia more. Eventually, everybody needs to buy a new bowl or get some screens.By Joe
November 17, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Sad to see them leave. Working in the area, just not that many small businesses around that you like to see turn up the belly and have to move on.By D. Berry
November 17, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
The demise of independent music stores has more to do with people getting their music online than it does with big box retailers these days. Music retailers are experiencing large negative comps year after year.By Jen
November 17, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
I worked at the Centerville store for several years. 20 years later it was still one of the best jobs I ever had. Great friends were made and I even met my husband of 19 years there. I’ll always have fond memories of the Savage family.By Sad panda
November 17, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
This is very very Sad =(By JKirkwood
November 17, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
This is sad. One of my roommates worked there for a few years, and it was always a good time to go hang out there for a few hours. Great place, sad to see it go.By Volkan
November 17, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
I still miss the Centerville store. Dingelberry’s lives in my memory forever. Good luck in your next endeavor Adrienne!!!By Lea
November 17, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
I haven’t been there since they opened in Yellow Springs even though I’ve lived in Fairborn and Beavercreek. It’s just not the same as standing in line for hours after school to meet Winger or dropping in to get a 45 of a song you heard in the 80s. So I won’t miss it that much… But it’s sad.By Rabbit
November 17, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Its almost impossible to find a legit music store that will bend over backwards to help the customer these days. Some chain music stores are all right but the personal service is lacking. Plus malls and chain music stores charge too much. Thats why people shop the internet more to save money. Take care Dingleberrys. You will always be a classic music place.By Bummed
November 17, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
Wow! That was always a highlight of making a trip into Mellow Yellow as we call it. Thanks for the good times Dingleberry’s!By jason
November 17, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
man. this is sad. about 7 years ago i used to do tons of promo work for a band in nyc and they used to let me come plaster the place with tour posters, flyers and things of the sort. i’m going to miss the place. i’ll have to go visit a few last times. RIP dingleberry’sBy Katie
November 17, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
It is sad to see the store go. I remember going in there alot as a teenager. Good luck to the crew at Dingleberry’s you will be missed.By jeremy
November 16, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
That is terrible and disheartening.