The Last Weekend at Blind Rage

Dayton’s Third Best record store closes its doors

Leica MP ~ Thypoch Simera 50mm F/1.4 ~ Portra 160 (Converted) ~ Photos by Jake Schneider

The weekend of March 21 was earmarked for the closure of Blind Rage Records in the Oregon district. Blind Rage, owned and operated by Gwen Downing-Groth, began its venture in the Belmont area of Dayton in 2020, then moved to their Oregon location in July 2025.

Leica MP ~ Leica 21mm Elmarit F/2.8 ~ Kodak Portra 160 (Converted)

The last weekend was a bittersweet moment for those who have supported Blind Rage throughout the years. Blind Rage was known as a DIY-first, anti-corporate, punk energy, and the final weekend proved that ethos. The sound of a tattoo machine and an acoustic guitar blended with the soft shuffle of people flipping through records.

Leica MP ~ Kodak Portra 160 (Converted)

People showed up not to just buy something, but to be part of the place one last time.

Leica MP ~ Voigtlander 35mm F/1.4 ~ Kodak Portra 160 (Converted)