Russian owner of LA record store, Stellar Remnant, served eviction notice by landlord

The Russian owner of Los Angeles record store Stellar Remnant have been served with an eviction notice by their landlord.

The shop specialises in selling electronic music records, and has been open for a number of years. The 30-day notice served by the landlord was shared on social media by owner Ed Vertov. Dated to 2nd March, it requires that he vacate the premises by 31st March.

In a social media post, Vertov wrote: “As the violence escalates in Ukraine, so is hatred towards Russian-speaking immigrants around the globe, we believe we became a targeted individuals and business.

“With our cry out for love we still receive threats and hate and people asking us to take down and not to sell any Russian artists regardless of their political views, just by simply being or associated with Russia.”

Vertov has already previously expressed opposition to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in previous social media posts. He also recently announced a vinyl auction to raise funds for humanitarian causes in Ukraine.

“Growing up in Soviet Union I would never have imagined the war between our Ukrainian brothers and sisters,” read a post shared on 4th March.

“We do not support the bloodshed in Ukraine and do not support Putin or any totalitarian warmongering policies of any government,” read another posted on 8th March. “I think we all agree that this war and all wars on this beautiful planet must STOP.”

Since being served with the eviction notice, Vertov begun legal proceedings against the landlord.

Read Vertov’s latest social media post about the situation in full below.