San Diego Reader

The El Cajon Wherehouse closes its doors forever tonight. One insider says that its managers will likely be transferred to other stores but that many employees will be out of a job. In the early '90s there were 23 Wherehouse stores countywide; after today there will be one in Escondido and one in Del Mar.

El Cajon's Blue Meannie record store, meanwhile, recently faced a similar fate.

"Christmas ended up okay, but I was shitting myself the first two weeks of December," says store owner Norm Leggio. "I was seriously thinking about getting out altogether. But I started thinking about what I could do. I haven't had a real job since I was 18.... I thought maybe I'll work for the House of Blues. I put shows on now and then. Then I thought, 'I love boob. Maybe I'll get a job managing a strip club.' I love Little Darlings in Spring Valley."

Leggio eventually decided to open band-rehearsal rooms; to do so he'll divide his 3000-square-foot building in half. He plans to ask for between $300 and $500 per month for each space.

"I already have bands asking to move in," says Leggio. "You can't get a better creative vibe than practicing in the back of a record store. If I rent to a cover band, hopefully they can buy a CD from me to learn a song."

Leggio has hosted in-store concerts at Blue Meannie since he took over the store in 1995. The last Blue Meannie show is this Saturday at 1 p.m. Appearing will be Asesino (members of Static-X and ex-members of Fear Factory) and both bands that Leggio plays drums in: Broken Foundation and Brick Bath.