Cheapo will spin out by Christmas

AUSTIN (KXAN) - You could usually find whatever you were seeking at Cheapo. But the marketplace is changing and they just can't compete.

According to owner Jason Shields,  "Business is down, people are downloading stuff and you can't compete with free, so we're having to choose to close. Unfortunately, it has to happen. There's nothing I can do about it. I can't force people to buy from us."

Cheapo was known for its eclectic style, a wide array across generations. The collection ranged from the now to the vinyl era. If you couldn't find it at a chain store, you could try Cheapo.

Sean Huetter was recently in the store searching for the Golden Dogs.

"You can find things here you can't find elsewhere," Huetter told KXAN.

Cheapo wants to sell off its inventory before they close, so they're offering major discounts. And according to customer Russ Hayhurst, it's a deal.

Cheapo opened on St. Patrick's Day, 1998. They'll close on Christmas Eve, 2012. But reinventing themselves isn't out of the question.

"Possibly in the future, not any time soon. I'm going to sit back, lick my wounds, reevaluate and see what I can do. If I do reopen it will be on a smaller scale. Austin can't do this size again," said Shields.