Life after Amoeba will never be the same, not for Los Angeles record shoppers nor for the music retailers of the area. Aron's, long a Los Angeles institution for more serious music shoppers, is closing its doors after being in business 40 years. Word on the street is that the going-out-of-business sale will start Friday.

While smaller retailers are struggling, Amoeba continues to thrive and look for new ventures. The legendary independent music chain -- with stores so big they require hours to properly scour -- has announced it plans to launch an online music service as well as a record label. According to a LA Times article (via Digital Music News) is short on details. It reports that the three-store chain will "create an online site for downloadable music" and the record label's first release, a previously unreleased 1969 Gram Parsons concert, will be released in January. Two other releases will follow, one featuring the Robin Nolan Trio and another by singer Brandi Shearer.

Extra credit: Look at the lists of best sellers at each of the three Amoeba stores and compare them to the current Billboard album chart. Kate Bush's Aerial tops all three Amoeba charts and is 48 on Billboard's chart.