When Planet Retro Records was robbed over the summer, Rob Sexton’s store became one more business affected by the uptick of crime in the Grand Central District.
“Almost all of our neighbors have been robbed,” he said.
On Aug. 4, a lone robber broke in, stole merchandise and cash and looted the store. Days later, Urban Deli and Drafts, another business one storefront over from Planet Retro, was also robbed.
The response from the community to the Planet Retro break-in was immediate. Within hours after the news spread, a benefit show for the store at the Local 662 was organized. A few local bands volunteered to help Sexton recover his losses.
“It was humbling to see so many people come out to support,” Sexton said.
However, despite the support, the incident further convinced Sexton that it was time for a change.
On Oct. 9, Sexton closed the door to the 2414 Central Ave location for the final time. After three years there, a rent increase of hundreds of dollars, a lack of space and the rising occurrences of crime in the neighborhood, among other reasons, have convinced Sexton to move on.
The changing face of the Grand Central District also warranted a move. As gentrification takes over, Sexton said he sees a lack of similarly-minded neighboring business owners as a problem and a threat to the number of people who visit the area.
The surrounding businesses, a rowdy bar, a generic phone store, a cake shop that is usually closed most of the time and an early-closing coffee shop, Sexton said, turn potential window shoppers away.
But admittedly, when Sexton leaves the current location, that same foot traffic would be the greatest advantage he will leave behind.
“It was good to be on Central Ave because there’s more foot traffic. My regulars may follow me to the new store but I’m not expecting as much in the new neighborhood at first,” he said.
Sexton, a former drummer in local bands, including a punk outfit called Failure Face, has had a penchant for collecting vinyl since he was young. When he began selling vinyl, he advertised online, using a local warehouse in Pinellas Park as his storage space.
After some time, he saw the opportunity to have a physical, stand-alone store on Central Avenue and took it.
With a new larger location on Martin Luther King Jr. St., formerly a Canadian drug store, Sexton sees a chance to grow his collection of merchandise and the range of live entertainment, despite the less than ideal location.
“I’m looking forward to expanding,” he said. “There’s a lot more room, including a big stage in the back of the store, so I want to do more live shows, from hardcore bands to poetry readings.
Sexton is also teaming up with Guitars on Central to set up a space for them to sell and repair guitars and equipment.
While vinyl record sales have reportedly been on the rise, Sexton isn’t idealistic about his main product.
“It’s cool because they’re more in touch with the music and it’s something they can actually hold in their hands, but I think the trend is starting to die down now,” Sexton said.
Michael Knapp, a world languages sophomore, echoed the same sentiment about vinyl being in decline.
“I think records are a thing of the past and digital music is far beyond vinyl,” he said.
The new store will open on Nov. 1. However, the grand re-opening date isn’t until Nov. 19. On that day, Sexton will host an all-day block party, starting at 10 or 11 a.m., in the parking lot next door.
© Photo By Devin Rodriguez | TCN
