I've been a loyal Daddy Kool customer since 1999. Â While I had been to the old Sarasota location a couple of times, the St. Petersburg was my go to. Â Now in its fourth incarnation in downtown St. Pete, I really feel this store has really come into its own as the premier record store in the Tampa Bay area. Â It's obviously the place to go for concert tickets, in store or online at <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdaddykool.com&s=20d34a49cba0a6b0bbe516349206e1871e339f05db473b2f2bd1e5f81b683059" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://daddykool.com</a>, but it's also flush with new vinyl, great toys, turntables, accessories, new and used vinyl, etc. Â And hey, if you still listen to CDs, they have a great new and used CD section as well.
Review Source:First time I went there the gentleman at the counter offered zero assistance. I wandered around the store checking out all of their overpriced stock. They should change their name to Daddy Kool Music, or Daddy Kool Compact Disc, because they barely have any records. Â Since then, I have called ahead twice to inquire about ticket availability, and rushed over there as fast as I could. The reason i had to rush is because, like many people, I don't have a way to stop by the store early in the day. So, once I showed up 2 minutes past 8 (closing) to see them doing, whatever, inside.
This evening, I showed up within seconds of the clock hitting 8. The guy was at the register, probably counting down the days profits, and looked at me to say they were closed. Same dude, every time. Funny thing is, there is no way that he locked the door at 8 o'clock on the dot and then made it back behind the counter. I was there that fast. He locked the door early. Shit customer service. Â I repeat SHITE CUSTOMER SERVICE. Â They don't care about you. Take your money elsewhere.
Let me start off by saying that I feel that the record shop scene in the St. Pete/Tampa Bay areas is a bit lacking. Now, I don't mean that as any slight to the area or those who are fighting the good fight to keep it alive but I would be lying if I said any store in the area really jumped out at me as being special, Daddy Kool included.
I have been visiting the St. Petersburg area for the majority of my life but it was only recently that I found out that this place existed and after visiting a nearby museum, I decided to give Daddy Kool a whirl. The first thing that struck me was how indifferent the guy behind the counter seemed to be about me being there, even though I was the only one in the shop the entire time I was there. The second thing I noticed is how ridiculous some of their prices where. I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that they have no real competition or people in the area are just willing to pay more for records, but most of the stuff I found here I could get for at least $4 less at home.
On the upside however, and the reason I gave Daddy Kool a three star review, is the store is clean and well organized. It is a spacey store so there is no squeezing into areas to check out music and it is well lit as well so you don't have to kill your eyes trying to read the fine print. Lastly, it is a store trying to carry on a tradition that seems to be going the way of the Buffalo in St. Petersburg.
UPDATE 6/27/12:
I recently revisited St. Petersburg and gave Daddy Kool another shot, and boy did they pass with flying colors! The indifferent employee at the counter? Gone. Replaced with a super friendly gentlemen, who even gave me 10% off when I showed him my college ID. High prices? Still existent, but more available cheaper records seem to have been introduced as well. I ended up spending about $40 or $50 dollars here and walked away with about four records.
I am definitely glad I gave Daddy Kool another chance. I will most definitely be returning here in the future. Keep up the good work!
First of all, the only reason this is not a 5 star review is because the prices here tend to be pretty high.
Otherwise, these guys/gals are great. Friendly atmosphere and really the only place like it in St Pete. You can tell they are working hard to keep the music scene alive in the area by supporting local artists and promoting concerts.
Additionally, I bought a new record that had a scratch/pressing issue and after bringing it back the next day they ordered a new copy from the record label and called me as soon as they got it in the store. This is not the standard operating procedure at most record stores but they seemed pretty cool about it.
I also stopped in for Record Store Day this year and had a blast! They seemed to have most everything on my list and I walked away very happy.
As I did mention, the only downside is their prices. Nearly all of the stuff I've found in their shop I can find on Amazon for less, or considerably less. Also, their used vinyl selection was kind of a mixed bag (although I did snag a Fine Young Cannibals record for $3!!).
Best. Record. Store.
Want cool music and NEED some vinyl? Check out Daddy Kool.
Long a mainstay in the area, with an owner who has literally made the live music scene pop for 30 years (gawds I'm old...) Daddy Kool has survived where Alternative Record and Vinyl Fever did not.
Go. Shop. Spend Money. Support an important business.
This record shop is rad!
It's a small layout, but that isn't a mark against them. They manage to stock all of the relevant items that you'd want without a sh!t-ton of those Asian toys that litter so many other record stores. It's about the music man!
A good assortment of used vinyl at really good prices. Many of their albums were under $3. That's like thrift store cheap!
The staff is cool too. They actually help you out.
This store is across the street from State Theater, and next door to Local 662, a busy music venue. I'll be back here again on my next trip to St. Pete.
One of the coolest record/music shops ever! I love independently owned music stores rather than big boxy places like Best Buy.
About a year ago they moved to a new location, a few blocks away from their old one. I couldn't find it but I was plesantly pleased when I finally did. Inside you're greeted with bright green walls and a large selection of music, including hard to find things. The owner of the shop is super friendly and will special order cds for you if needed. They also sell concert tickets to local places such as Jannus Landing and The State Theater just down the road.. as well as some events in Tampa. They have a great selection of indie bands and I bought Explosions In The Sky tickets here once.. which I was very excited about. A plus side is that you don't get hit with the ticket fees either.
Daddy Kool's is a must see if you love music and you happen to be in downtown St.Pete.
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