After trading for nearly a century, Melbourne's oldest classical music store has reached its final coda and will close its doors.

For 96 years, Thomas’ Music store on Bourke Street has been an intrinsic part of the city's creative community.

Generations of music enthusiasts and budding musicians have spent hours in its cosy confines, scouring its crowded shelves, which contain one of the world's largest and most-eclectic ranges of classical music on CD, DVD and vinyl.

Owner of Thomas' Music, Elisabeth Vodicka, says the shop can't compete in a digital world. Credit:Simon Schluter

For Christine Hinton, who has worked at the store for more than four decades, the people and the music have woven themselves into the soundtrack of her life.