It's hard to believe, but there was actually a time when pop stars and indie record stores existed in entirely different universes. Fortunately, that seems to have changed for the better. Need proof? Taylor Swift has donated money to keep a beloved Nashville record store afloat as it navigates closure over the coronavirus.
As Rolling Stone reports, Grimey's New & Preloved Music & Books has benefitted from a generous contribution from Ms. Swift. While the exact amount she handed over is unclear, the store's co-owner Doyle Davis confirmed she supplied each of the store's employees with three months' worth of health care.
"We were very surprised, and I would have to say amazed, that Taylor Swift reached out to us through her publicist to offer some relief during the COVID-19 pandemic," Davis told Rolling Stone. "I didn't even know we were on her radar, but she really stepped up to help after the recent tornadoes that struck Nashville and middle Tennessee, and now she's trying to help a beloved small business in her city."
He added, "Taylor generously offered some direct relief to my staff and to cover three months of our health care costs for our group-insurance plan. It's a huge deal to us, and now I have some peace of mind as we apply for [Small Business Association] loans to pay rent, vendors, and other expenses. This assistance from Ms. Swift helps give us a real shot at coming back on the other side of this."
Grimey's buyer Will Orman continued, "It's incredibly heartening and totally surreal that Taylor Swift has offered to help us out in such a significant way. With so much uncertainty about what lies ahead, we're deeply grateful to be able to look forward to returning to the store and continuing to share music and connect with our community, thanks to Taylor's generous support."
Nashville's mayor issued a stay-at-home order last month, so Grimey's has switched to an online order model.
As Rolling Stone reports, Grimey's New & Preloved Music & Books has benefitted from a generous contribution from Ms. Swift. While the exact amount she handed over is unclear, the store's co-owner Doyle Davis confirmed she supplied each of the store's employees with three months' worth of health care.
"We were very surprised, and I would have to say amazed, that Taylor Swift reached out to us through her publicist to offer some relief during the COVID-19 pandemic," Davis told Rolling Stone. "I didn't even know we were on her radar, but she really stepped up to help after the recent tornadoes that struck Nashville and middle Tennessee, and now she's trying to help a beloved small business in her city."
He added, "Taylor generously offered some direct relief to my staff and to cover three months of our health care costs for our group-insurance plan. It's a huge deal to us, and now I have some peace of mind as we apply for [Small Business Association] loans to pay rent, vendors, and other expenses. This assistance from Ms. Swift helps give us a real shot at coming back on the other side of this."
Grimey's buyer Will Orman continued, "It's incredibly heartening and totally surreal that Taylor Swift has offered to help us out in such a significant way. With so much uncertainty about what lies ahead, we're deeply grateful to be able to look forward to returning to the store and continuing to share music and connect with our community, thanks to Taylor's generous support."
Nashville's mayor issued a stay-at-home order last month, so Grimey's has switched to an online order model.
