Columbia Welcomes Back Papa Jazz Record Shoppe After Exciting Renovations!
Hey, Columbia! Exciting news has just dropped for music lovers and vinyl enthusiasts: Papa Jazz Record Shoppe is back in its original home at 2014 Greene St. after a complete glow-up that took about five months! The beloved shop, a memorable fixture in the Five Points neighborhood for over 40 incredible years, is now open and ready to rock your world once again!
Community Celebration for a Legendary Store
The grand reopening was celebrated with a delightful ceremony held on a Tuesday, attended by enthusiastic locals including shop owner Tim Smith, Columbia’s mayor Daniel Rickenmann, and City Councilman Will Brennan. It was a true party atmosphere, with smiles all around. “We’ve got new flooring and infrastructure,” shared Smith with excitement. “This is the biggest upgrade we’ve ever done. Hopefully, this will keep us here for another 45 years.”
And speaking of upgrades, the store has made some massive strides! There are sparkling new shelves planned to make browsing for vinyl records a breeze. Smith mentioned, “We have a big backlog of records that we bought while we were doing this, so there are thousands of new and used records that hopefully everybody will be excited to look at!” Imagine combing through endless rows of genres, just waiting for you to discover your next favorite album!
Enhanced Shopping Experience
Among the various upgrades is a complete replacement of the floor—thank goodness! In case you didn’t know, the store had some quirks over the years, including a dip in the floor due to a careless car that bumped into the building back in the 1990s. That little hazard has been totally sorted out now. Christopher Bickel, the record buyer for over 20 years, couldn’t be more thrilled about the changes. “We’ve doubled the amount of space we have for putting out vinyl. That’s a huge deal right now!” he exclaimed.
With wider aisles and a more spacious setup, the store is now even more inviting. “The floor is no longer in danger of caving in, which is good. The space in the aisles is wider, so there is more access for everybody and it’s not so claustrophobic. It’s just an upgrade, all-around.” It’s truly a vinyl lover’s paradise!
A Cultural Staple in Five Points
The excitement isn’t just about records; it’s about the cultural significance Papa Jazz has in the Five Points area! Heather McDonald, the executive director of the Five Points Association, described the Greene Street location as “iconic,” paying tribute to Smith’s remarkable contribution to the neighborhood’s cultural landscape over the years. She said, “We are very excited for him for all the years of record sales and CD sales and music exposure that he has offered to musicians here in our community.”
Mayor Rickenmann also chimed in, stating, “Papa Jazz has been a staple here. Not only an integral part of Five Points, but it has really stretched across generations.” During his visit, he couldn’t resist browsing through the records and ended up leaving with a classic Sam Cooke LP! How cool is that?
What’s Next for Papa Jazz?
As the community welcomes back this beloved record shop, the anticipation is palpable. Smith and his dedicated team are gearing up to make this spot even more special for all their loyal customers and new visitors. With a treasure trove of music ready for digging through, Columbia’s heart is just a little bit warmer as it embraces its unique musical heritage.
If you’re in the area, make sure to swing by and check out all the new changes at Papa Jazz! Who knows, you might walk away with a rare find or a new favorite record! Happy hunting!
