The dream of the '90s is alive in Brooklyn.
On Wednesday, Brooklyn record store Rough Trade, hosted by event production company BBQ Films, transformed into the eponymous store from the 1995 film Empire Records. The cause for celebration? The 20th anniversary of Rex Manning Day, the film's fictional event for heartthrob singer Rex Manning.
Starring Renee Zellweger, Liv Tyler, Anthony LaPaglia and Rory Cochrane, the 1995 film revolved around a group of unruly teenagers running a record store, overseen by a frustrated boss (LaPaglia) who wants to save the store from being bought out by chain store Music Town.
Though the film flopped at the box office (partly thanks to a wildly spiraling plot), it soldiered on to cult status, likely thanks to its cute cast, soundtrack and killer '90s fashion sense (the short skirts, the Chainsaw Kittens band tee, Debra shaved head).
To celebrate, BBQ Films hosted a screening at the newly redecorated Rough Trade. The company also had its employees, who were up for anything, dress up in their best Empire Records cosplay, imitating everything from Lucas' close-cropped hairstyle and turtleneck to Rex Manning's fluffy white shirts. There was also a head-shaving station, to imitate the famous scene in which Debra shaves her head in the store bathroom. And people (not just a Debra cosplayer) actually used it.
Dozens of fans showed up, eager to watch the film and relive the days when "Damn the man, save the Empire!" was on everyone's lips.
Hanging over the store was a super-official Rex Manning Day sign.
Friends and Empire Records fans Amanda Healey (left) and Lauren Nauheimer dressed up to attend the event for one of their favorite films.
For zero dollars, you could take photos with (fake) Rex Manning, (fake) Mark and (fake) Eddie.
You could also grab pics with fake Corey and Gina.
The store paid homage to the character Debra by having a free head-shaving booth.
And people actually took them up on the offer.
A brave BBQ employee, dressed up as Debra, bravely shaved off her real hair. Debra would be so proud.
She also recreated Debra's fake funeral scene from the film.
Guess who showed up to get his old job back? Actor Ethan Embry, who played lovable metalhead Mark in the film.
Secret surprise -- GWAR was there. The band has a special scene in the film, in which Mark hallucinates that he's joining them.
Double surprise -- GWAR thinks Mashable tastes delicious.
Guess who showed up with GWAR? Actor Johnny Whitworth, who played artsy A.J. in the film.
Best #RexManningDay yet. Wonder what next years has in store... Love you @johnnywhitworth pic.twitter.com/W5QfGmXNuK— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) April 9, 2015
Then there was a beautiful reunion. Long live the Empire.