Indie Stores Forever: Sweat Records
Independently-owned businesses are the best kind of stores to spend your money. They’re created by people with a true love of their trade and eschew all of the corporate nonsense that make customers feel like just a number in the abyss. We found some incredible women-owned businesses throughout the country that deserve a major spotlight, and we’re kicking off this Indie Stores Forever series with Lolo Reskin of Sweat Records, a haven for music lovers in the neighborhood of Little Haiti in Miami. From an incredible selection of new and reissued vinyl to in-store events and dope swag, Reskin has built a gem of a place that’s rooted in her love of the Miami community. You can support Sweat Records by purchasing vinyl via their online shop.
We spoke to Lolo about what it’s been like as an independently-owned small business throughout the pandemic, the monopolization of commerce, and the (yay) vinyl boom!
Sweat Records is an institution for music lovers in Miami. Amidst the pandemic, how has Sweat Records had to pivot? When were you able to open back up?
Overnight we went from being an in-person record shopping experience with tourists visiting from all over and a regular schedule of in-store events to (like so many others) a fully online operation. Thankfully we had spent most of 2019 building out an ambitiously comprehensive web shop which launched just as we were celebrating our 15-year anniversary in early March. The online orders and support from our Withfriends page saved us as we had to pay full rent the entire time. Sweat was closed to the public for three months, opened back up in June with limited hours and social distancing practices and we are now back to regular store hours.
Were you able to secure any federal funding from the first stimulus bill? If so, what was that process like?
We just made it into the first round and received a small amount of funding (less than $10k). It was a disheartening experience. Having a small business during COVID is essentially another lens through which to view the malicious ineptitude of the current federal and Florida state administrations. They should all resign. That said, the swing of the pendulum is that civic engagement in Miami is at an all-time high and we love to see it.
The monopolization of commerce in this country is appalling, but nothing will ever compare to the record store experience. Since opening back up, have you seen some new faces popping by the store more frequently? We'd like to think that a mixture of cabin fever + the desire to support the local community would result in more foot traffic.
For sure, and we agree wholeheartedly about the value of the experience itself–nothing virtual can come close. During lockdown people were definitely choosing curbside pickup so they could get out of the house, and since we've opened again many have told us that coming to Sweat is a respite and a favorite activity they feel safe doing which we are very glad to be able to provide.
What did Record Store Day events look like for you this year?
The main RSD which would've been in April was split into three "Drops" and we just hosted the final installment. They were really great days and it was especially nice to see so many of our friends and regular customers. Record Store Day Black Friday is still happening the day after Thanksgiving so we'll be participating in that amidst our holiday efforts. We'll sleep in January.
On a happy note, for the first time since 1986, vinyl record sales are outpacing CD sales in the U.S! Do you see this as a sign of digital exhaustion overall? Perhaps, a pining for simpler times that feel rooted in something real?
Embracing the analog is absolutely a natural response to most media being digital. There will always be printed books for people who love literature and records have won out as the physical format for music lovers. There's a resurgent interest in audio quality as well and vinyl is an ideal medium for exploring sounds. Beyond the tactile aspects, the record trade is also very much about fandom and the deeper appreciation of one's favorite music and artists. You are bringing their art into your physical space and that's important. The music industry is a nightmare right now and buying merch and records is one of the easiest ways to directly support the artists/labels/shops that matter in your life—so go get yourself or someone you love a present!