#vinyls and tapes are good too but you need specific equipment and speakers for those to really shine

[crunchity-munchity]

I love cds. They gotta be one of the best inventions. Truly the peak of physical media

[porchbeers]

List of Record Stores in the Tampa Bay Area (the one’s that have vinyl)

I’ve visited many record stores. All over the world, in fact. Every record shop is unique and interesting. You’d think that in this day and age that something seemingly as archaic as vinyl records wouldn’t exist. It makes me so happy that they do. There is something about these places that seem to provide a bit of color to the landscape of an area. 

In our corner of the world, we’ve got a number of really solid shops worth checking out. I’ve made it a point to try out the majority of the record stores around the Tampa Bay area. I still have a few to try, so there will be a part two of this list at some point.

This list is not meant to rank or shit on any particular record store. Each one has pros and cons, but each person will respond different. To me, if someone is selling actual, physical, vinyl records (and they aren’t complete dickbags 100% of the time) the shop is worth popping by their store and giving some support. So, my goal of this article is to continue to amplify that these places exist and encourage folks to lend some support. 

Everyone has different tastes and each store caters to different tastes. So, gas up your hooptie and get to shopping. 

TAMPA-AREA RECORD STORES

Mojo Books & Music

2540 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33612 - www.mojotampa.com

I’ve been going to Mojo for ten years or so, even with they were at their previous location. I spent many lunch breaks and weekends digging through their racks of vinyl. Their selection is good - a nice variety of new and used vinyl of all genres to dig through, even punk, soul, and reggae. 

While you’re there, browse their awesome selection of used books, grab a tasty coffee, or even a vegan treat. This place gets extra points for being a place that my fiance will go while I nerd out for an hour or so. Mojo also hosts in-store shows regularly. 

Microgroove

4906 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603 - www.microgroovetampa.co

One of two Seminole Heights-area shops. Microgroove has a well-curated selection of new and used gems. He has some good finds and carries a good selection of local bands as well. Kenny will often post some of the recent arrivals on Facebook, which is great! 

The owner, Keith, also runs a record label, New Granada, which is solid. Some nights, they have in-store performances. 

Steelworker Records

708 W Dr M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33603 - www.steelworkerrecords.com

Great shop! Being walking distance from my house, this place is dangerous. Kenny, the owner, is a solid dude that has provided me many hundreds of dollars of recommendations. A quick conversation to establish a taste profile, and Kenny will sort you out with a pile of records from your new favourite band.

He has quite a lot of metal, hardcore and punk stuff, but you can find some really good power-pop, country, and even really next-level hip hop. I even have picked up a record from the UK-rapper, The Streets. If you are into hardcore 45′s, Kenny’s got you sorted as well.

A solid shop. One of my favourites.  

Sound Exchange

3 locations in the area (I’ve only visited the Tampa spot) - 14246 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33613 - www.soundexchangetampabay.com

Sound Exchange is an interesting shop. It has been around for quite a while and with three locations, there is a lot to explore. They have a good selection of new & used vinyl, CD’s, DVD’s, posters, magazines, and my favourite portion, vintage equipment. 

This places has some amazing gear at reasonable prices. Definitely worth a visit just to look at gear - see the inventory online. Also, if you’ve got old gear in need of repair, they also do that. Bit of an all-around store. 

I have found some rather awesome vinyl there as well. A while ago, I picked up an original pressing of Tom Waits’ Closing Time. It is quite the black hole of stuff and you can dig for a while. Worth checking out. 

ST. PETERSBURG-AREA RECORD SHOPS

Daddy Kool

666 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 - www.daddykool.com

The new vinyl selection is amazing and that have a fair amount of used items as well. If you are looking for something new or relatively new, they probably have it. Good selection of 45′s too. Their ever-changing used selection is all over the place (in a good way). 

They also have other things to nerd-out, like those crazy vinyl toys for your office cube or posters and stuff. Solid dudes there. 

Planet Retro

226 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 - www.planetretrorecords.com

If you have got an itch for punk, metal, and indie vinyl, this place will scratch that itch until it friggin bleeds. Rob, the owner, has got an incredibly-curated selection for you to browse through. Bring your wallet and a forklift. You’re going to find plenty of stuff to take home. He’s not cheap, but for what he’s got, it’s worth it.

He also has a solid selection of new stuff as well. For me, I go for their rare punk stuff. He’s got some good stuff. 

Banana’s Music & Banana’s Record Warehouse

Music: 2887 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 - bananasrecords.com

Record Warehouse: 2226 16th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Doug and Michelle, the owners, have two amazing locations, filled to the brim with music things. The Music location has a good selection of everything: CD’s, DVD’s, Laserdiscs (seriously), tapes, 45′s, used records of all the main genres, a solid budget section, 12″ singles, and a fantastic amount of equipment. 

The Record Warehouse location is a bat-shit-crazy collection of anything and everything you could think of. Looking for a specific pressing of some old record, they probably have it. If you do brave this location, make a list of stuff and clear your afternoon...you will be there for a while. It’s like the freaking library of congress of records. Rock, soul, soundtracks, and jazz of all types. I’ve never even attempted the 45′s. It’s too much. 

At either location, they have a good selection of equipment: speakers, amps, tape decks, CD players, and even victrola’s. At the Warehouse location, they have an amazing selection of random equipment. Lots of original Technics SL-1200′s. It’s an incredible spot. 

ARTpool Gallery & Vintage Boutique

2030 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 - www.artpoolrules.com

While ARTpool isn’t necessarily a record store, they do have a solid selection of records to browse. They have new, rare, used, and even $1 records. Definitely a fun spot to dig. It’s probably the most significant-other-friendly record shop in the area. While you browse the solid selection of vinyl, your partner can shop truly unique vintage clothing. The owners are a super-rad couple as well. Put this spot on your list when you digging in the St. Pete area. 

THE REMAINING STORES ON MY LIST

So, that’s just a start. There are a number of others that I have been spying. Can’t wait to try out these spots as well:  

Sound Exchange Brandon: Kings Row Shopping Center, 805 W Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511

Sound Exchange Pinellas Park: 7688 49th St N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781

Disc Exchange - 6712 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33707

Kingfish Records at the Oldsmar Flea Market - 180 Race Track Rd, Oldsmar, FL 34677

The Clearwater Record Shop - 1610 N Hercules Ave g, Clearwater, FL 33765

Dunedin Records & Vintage Audio - 757 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698

Jerkdog Records - 1119 12th St W, Bradenton, Florida

Daddy O’s Record Rack - 147 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229

Jesse Carl Vinyl - 304 N Kentucky Ave #1150, Lakeland, FL 33801

The Wax & The Needle - 509 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33801

Get out there. Support some of these folks. 

Thoughts? Reblog and add your commentary. Would love to hear your suggestions for records stores and if I’ve missed any. Always looking for a place to dig for records. 

~Keyboard.