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November 2024 by Firstname Lastname
I never thought I'd be saying this: went in after their renovation, and please understand that I used to LOVE PACD's, and that was the case for well over 2 decades. The most recent visit was so bewildering that I have to say something about it.
Went in anticipating dropping around $450 in vinyl accessories -- more on that below. Walking through the front door and into the first aisle, things were fairly normal. As they'd expanded into the diner next door, I was excited to take it all in.
When we (in single file) tried to loop around the 2nd aisle, you can't do so if a solitary person is already doing something, even if it's standing and checking their phone. I have an average build, and the person in front of me was smaller. We literally could not maneuver around each other.
When we made it to the front again, we waited at the counter so we could just ask an employee. They finished with the customer that they were ringing up and... walked away. No "I'll be right back", no eye contact, just very intent on pretending we were invisible.
So we try to go around to the aisle with the posters and shirts, figuring if we can get back there, we can find an employee to tell us where this stuff had been moved to. We couldn't get around the corner to the back of the store because a person was looking at shirts. There was not room to walk around them without touching their body. Music was too loud in the back corner to ask them to move.
I looked around, and realized that the shelves had now been piled so high with product that you can't look around to find a worker.
Was really sad that I ultimately had to leave.
There's a bit more that I'm leaving out, but I can echo the reviews of others: this was the first time I wasn't greeted by an employee, but also the first time I'd been blanked by one. The other employees likely couldn't see that people were looking for help due to the sightlines, so I can't blame them.
I knew I'd want to get more than just the accessories, which is why I budgeted for more money than would be needed for them. As a result of this visit, I ordered the mandatory things I needed at half price from an online retailer once home, and saved the rest of the money. Why go to a record store where browsing isn't possible?
It really made me sad. The last record store worth thinking about in Central Florida renovated themselves into something you can't really navigate.
In closing, I'm also disabled, but it isn't visible to most people. This is why I'm stopping short of making a big stink out of a particular type of "accessibility". Eventually my disability will keep me from being able to walk, and in such a case, I probably couldn't get a wheelchair through the aisle, even if it were empty. It's a sad moment when you have to break up with your favorite record store. Would've talked to someone in person about it, but... they didn't even notice us leaving over it. I'm sure there will be a response from the owner that makes this seem like I'm overreacting, or be as snarky as they were to the people who didn't want to wear masks. I'm not one of them; I've probably spent a minimum of $100 on/in this store per month for two and a half decades, give or take. It was a real bummer of a trip, one that took an hour to even get there. The drive home really sucked, since I realized there wasn't anywhere worth looking for records in Central FL anymore now. It was a loss of "hearts and minds" for a few people on that long and quiet ride home.
Here's to hoping this gets rectified for other people in the future. I'm pretty sad about it, especially having supported for years when I could've saved money shopping online. I believed in the brick an
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October 2024 by Kade
Extremely wide variety of music. Something for absolutely everyone. There are hundreds upon hundreds of vinyls to pick from and enjoy. The store environment is clean and calm, the employees are very nice and welcoming aa well. This is a must have stop for any one collecting music or even just passing through.
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October 2024 by Sam Villarreal
Definitely best place for new music!
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October 2024 by Ken Ash
Great local record store!! They have EVERYTHING you could possibly want.
Went to see Hot Water Music do a small set before their gig at The Abbey. So awesome to support a local store that supports indie music and great bands like HWM!!
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October 2024 by La Verdad
this place is absolutely incredible. if you’re looking for black metal, death metal or just hardcore metal this is the place for you.
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October 2024 by Juan Carlo Rodriguez
So. Much. Music. Aisles of vinyl, CDs and carts, all to your hearts desire. If you're a music fan in these parts of Florida, this is the place to go. Staff is super helpful. But fair warning, you better go with a fat wallet, because between what you're looking for and what serendipity might lead you to, who knows with how much you'll walk out.
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October 2024 by Patricio Granda
People on always
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October 2024 by Candy Cook
So fun, the best place to get new records and CD’s. They have some used options and they are well arranged. They always have some kind of listening party or special event happening!
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October 2024 by Justin Dennison
Very large selection and employees were very helpful and courteous.
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October 2024 by Franchesca Jones
Great selection of vinyl, books, & other merchandise. Friendly customer service.
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October 2024 by Sascha Goto
One of my favorite places in Orlando. Amazing selection, plenty of new and old vinyls.
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October 2024 by Lynn Yu
I love this place so much I can never get enough!!
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October 2024 by carlos silva
For those who love vinyl, whatever the genre, it's a paradise. I stayed for more than 4 hours and I'm sure there was a lot left to see between 7 and 12 inch compacts. I brought 32 vinyl to Brazil, I bought a compact for $1, a lot. Good place, I recommend it!!
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September 2024 by Trinity L
Great record store! Very organized and they have a fantastic collection of vinyls, cds, books, and other Knick knacks and do-dads. Their store merch is also super cool! I love their totes.
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September 2024 by Aly Tortorice
I’ve watched this place grow over the years and am so so glad that they are still the best in town. Partner and I bought a turntable here last week and discovered it came with a faulty needle cartridge after getting it home and halfway set up; Gary helped us exchange for a different unit the next day and took the time to make sure we knew how to calibrate it and get it set up the way we wanted (without a single ounce of condescension, just genuine tips and tricks to ensure our install went smoothly!) A true Orlando gem!!
