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‘We’re still just a phone call away’, Iconic Auckland record store to close after 90 years

Monday, 1 September 2025

Marbecks is set to close its physical store after more than 90 years.
Marbecks is set to close its physical store after more than 90 years.

An iconic Auckland-based record store is set to close down it’s physical store in favour of an online model, in a move a founding family member says is reflective of the changing way people are listening to music.

Marbecks, which has been in Queens Arcade in Auckland CBD for more than 90 years, will begin its new online-only chapter on October 31.

While this means there will no longer be a physical storefront, plans are underway for special Marbecks pop-up events at festivals and music gatherings around the country.

Murray & Hayden Marbeck work the desk at Marbecks in the 1960’s.
Murray & Hayden Marbeck work the desk at Marbecks in the 1960’s.

The store was founded in 1934 by Alfred and Maureen Marbeck, and is now in it’s fourth generation of family ownership.

Roger Marbeck, who began working at the store in the 1970’s, told Stuff the team “never wanted to close the store”, but needed to be realistic.

“Marbecks was always a destination – a place people came to browse, talk music, and make discoveries. But over time, fewer people are coming into the city to shop in person,” he said.

Roger Marbeck, who began working at the store in the 1970’s, told Stuff the team “never wanted to close the store”, but needed to be realistic.
Roger Marbeck, who began working at the store in the 1970’s, told Stuff the team “never wanted to close the store”, but needed to be realistic.

“Most of our customers were already ringing us or placing their orders online, which is a bit of an anomaly these days – but it reflects the kind of personal service we’ve always offered.”

Marbecks in the late 1960
Marbecks in the late 1960's

Marbeck said rather than holding on “until it became unviable”, they chose to adapt while they were still strong.

“The truth is, for Marbecks to operate properly, it needs a certain kind of footprint – space for stock, service, and experience. And in today’s market, that’s just not feasible in a physical retail setting.”

“People still love physical music – records, CDs, books – that hasn’t changed. What has changed is how they buy it. The model no longer made sense in-store, but our online platform lets us keep doing what we love: curating and delivering music with care, to customers all over the country – and we’re still just a phone call away.”

The record store has sold music through it all - the Great Depression, World War II, the rise of Elvis and The Beatles, the Auckland power crisis, all the way to the resurgence of vinyl and introduction of digital music.

“It’s been a privilege to welcome generations of music fans through our doors. We’ve seen people grow up with Marbecks from buying their very first album to curating their lifelong collections,” store manager Sandra Hopping said.

“While I’ll miss seeing those familiar faces in person, I’m excited for this next stage and the chance to keep serving our community in new ways.”

According to AudioCulture, Marbecks expanded to become New Zealand’s largest music store. The family sold the business to The CD and DVD Store in 2006, which rebranded all its outlets under the Marbecks name.

After the chain collapsed, the original store returned to family hands after Roger bought the store.