Record stores have been taking a hit for more than a decade—that’s no secret. Even before digital file-sharing reared its troublesome little head, the “big box” stores were working their way from market to market, undercutting the local Mom&Pop shops by purchasing in bulk, selling cheap, and generally striking fear into the hearts of independent music stores and their patrons.

With the advent three years back of “Record Store Day”;a markedly mounting increase in vinyl sales over the past several years; and the trend toward new album releases being made available in the vinyl format, with a card bearing a code for free digital download tucked neatly inside— well, there is a faint glimmer of hope in the eye of the indie record store employee these days.

That makes the damage done to Spiral Scratch Records in late May all the more devastating. A fire did severe damage to the building at 2531 Delaware Ave. that houses the still-young independent music retailer, just as the store was getting into its groove.

Having amassed a sizable inventory, loyal customer-base and solidly positive reputation among the devout musician and music-fan crowd, the owners are faced with the daunting task of replacing most of the store’s stock and investing in considerable structural repairs to the storefront itself.

Not surprisingly, some Buffalo musicians are rushing to the rescue. A benefit concert is planned beginning

at 7 p. m Thursday at Mohawk Place. The brainchild of Bill Nehill — a prolific local songwriter and performer, and mainstay of the Mohawk Place staff—“The Spiral Scratch Benefit Concert” will feature performances from Failures’ Union, Everything Falls Apart, Roger Bryan and the Orphans, All of Them Witches, Fences Make Good Neighbors, Nehill himself and DJ Donny Shaft.

“It was the night of Neil Young, and after the show, someone sent me a text saying ‘Spiral Scratch is burning!’ ” recalls Donny Kutzbach of area concert promoters Fun Time Presents. “We were right down the street having an after-Neil drink, so I ran down there. It didn’t look like it was out of control or anything, but the fire did a ton of damage to the store and the inventory.”

While Kutzbach observed the damage, Spiral Scratch owner Dave Palumbo stood close by. Freaking out, one would imagine.

“No, not really,” says Kutzbach. “Dave doesn’t really freak out about much. He’s very laid-back. But there is no doubt that he needs help to get the store going again.

“It’s such a shame about the timing of the fire,” continues Kutzbach. “Not that there’s ever a good time for something like this. But Dave has worked so hard to gain a footing in the community, and he was really beginning to do that. Since Home of the Hits closed, there hasn’t quite been that place, that central community hub, where people could gather, talk about music, hear new music, hang out, buy stuff, etc.

“There’s the Web, obviously. But let’s face it—it’s just not the same.”

Tickets for the Spiral Scratch records Benefit Concert are $7, and will be available at Mohawk Place on the evening of the show. All proceeds will benefit Spiral Scratch records. Additional information is available via Mohawk Place’s MySpace page.