The imminent closure of La Metralleta shakes the cultural life of the centre

Central Madrid is about to lose one of its most emblematic corners for music lovers. La Metralleta, the record shop that has spent more than forty years in the shopping arcade of the Descalzas square car park, is entering its final stretch. The end of the licence of the company that runs the car park forces the closure of this space, which has been a refuge for music lovers, collectors and the curious since 1983.

The story of La Metralleta is one of almost romantic resistance. It was born from the determination of two friends who, after years selling cassettes and vinyl records at the Rastro, decided to open their own premises. Paloma Menéndez, daughter of one of the founders, began working there as a teenager and is now the public face of the shop. Over the years, she has seen musicians such as Andrés Calamaro, Javier Gurruchaga and Alaska pass through its aisles, and has known how to advise generations of customers searching for that special record.

The shop survived the piracy crisis and the collapse of physical sales, holding on while many others closed. But the current situation is different. For some time, La Metralleta has been divided into two opposing premises, the result of a disagreement between the founders' heirs. Now, both businesses share the same uncertainty: the deadline to vacate the premises is August, although closure could be brought forward without warning.

The lack of information aggravates the concern. Paloma explains that, after several extensions, each month they sign for their continued stay without knowing how much time they actually have left. The car park manager wants to retire, the space needs an expensive refurbishment and the area has lost footfall since the introduction of Madrid Central. The future of the car park is uncertain and there are no guarantees that anyone will want to take it on.

For those who have made La Metralleta a regular stop, there is the consolation of knowing that two other branches exist: one on Calle Esparteros and another in Alcorcón. However, the possible disappearance of the original premises weighs on the minds of customers and those in charge. Paloma has tried to contact Madrid City Council to ask for support and recognition as part of the city's cultural heritage, but so far she has received no clear answer. Meanwhile, the recommendation is clear: anyone who wants to say goodbye to La Metralleta should not leave it until tomorrow.

La Metralleta is not just a record shop: it is a meeting point for those who value the physical format, expert advice and the patient search through record bins. Its location, in the basement of the Descalzas, has for decades been an open secret among Madrileños looking for something different. The closure of this space represents a change in the cultural life of the centre and leaves a gap in the city's musical memory that is difficult to fill.