The record store will be relocating to Milwaukee and pivoting to an online focus.
On August 21, 2022 Boneset Records—a direct successor of Atwood Avenue’s Sugar Shack Records—opened its doors at 222 North St. After June 10, 2023, those doors will be closed.
Owner Maggie Denman announced the news Wednesday on Instagram, noting that she and her partner “got a cute little house in Milwaukee” and that Boneset will “be focusing on an online store, pop up events, and working with friends to keep the dream alive.” At the very bottom of the post, Denman makes the intention for the store’s last day clear: “Our last day at 222 North St, Ste B, Madison, WI will be Saturday, June 10th – it’ll be a PARTY.”
Denman’s history as a Madisonian is rich and includes time spent playing in an array of locally-based bands across a number of genres. Her illustrations have adorned several Tone Madison pieces (including the featured image for our Capitol Punishments column). And Denman’s place as a fixture within the landscape of Madison arts hasn’t gone unnoticed or under-appreciated, something that has been reflected by the impact Boneset Records has made in its short run here (simply scan the comments of that Instagram post and that impact will be plainly evident).
Losing Boneset’s footprint—and, by extension, Sugar Shack’s—locally will be a blow, as strong independent record stores aren’t as prevalent as they once used to be. Every time a shop closes or relocates, Madison loses a touch of its identity. But loss is critical to evolution and absence can carve out space for creation. And, in this specific instance, that impact isn’t being diminished, just moved about 80 miles east. What Denman has accomplished during her time at both Sugar Shack and with Boneset can be extended to Milwaukee and its citizens.
Boneset Records will continue to be open Friday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. On Saturday, May 27, Boneset Records and its pop-culture-memorabilia-focused neighbor store Sig’s Treasure Chest will be hosting a pop-up market. Potential vendors interested in joining the roster can apply here.
Following the announcement of Boneset’s impending relocation, Denman also unveiled a new line of t-shirt and sweatshirt designs, which can be pre-ordered via Boneset’s online store. Stop in and support the shop while you still can, and mark down that June 10 date to help send Boneset, and Denman, off in fashion.
