The California-based Down Home Music Store, a legendary fixture and a spin-off business of Arhoolie Records, will come under the sole propietorship of Chris Strachwitz on Jan. 1.

Strachwitz is the founder and president of Arhoolie Records, which specializes in all types of roots music, including bluegrass and old-time country.

The store has been having its financial struggles as music fans turn to downloads and tax-free, online retailers have started to dominate the market for recorded music.

Located at 10341 San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito, Calif., the Down Home Music Store has been serving the San Francisco bay area for more than 33 years with an extensive selection of roots music from the U.S. and around the globe. The store boasts more than 24,000

Although the store trimmed its hours earlier this year as an economic move, it is now operating with extended holiday hours: Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The store carries new and used CDs, DVDs, LPs, books and magzines and vintage 78s and 45s.

Although the store is currently not processing on-line orders, it maintains a Web site and orders can be made via the telephone.