Audiophile specialty shop Fruit Fly Records has moved to a larger space off U.S. 1 in Coral Gables. Located in a second-floor shopfront at 430 S. Dixie Hwy., the new version of the shop, which was previously located in an office space near Dadeland Mall, gives the area a much-needed space for music fans to congregate. Owner Giovanni Hanna says the business previously survived on Discogs sales, and the new shop has already seen increased foot traffic from drive-by shoppers, even though the place hasn't officially opened yet.
"I thought, The Gables doesn't have their own record store, so why not try this area?" says Hanna, a biology professor at the University of Miami who named the shop after his research into fruit fly evolution. "We needed a ton more space to do all the things we wanted to do. I see this as more than just a place for retail. I see it as a place for lots of different kinds of events, including education. There's going to be a big educational component to the shop moving forward."
With record bins lining the walls and plenty of floor space, the new shop is designed with special events in mind. In addition to DJ sets, listening sessions, and musical performances, Hanna hopes the shop will become a hub for music educators to teach DJing, production, and other skills. One class on modular synthesis is already planned, with other topics to come. Opening day on Black Friday will feature a full day of DJ sets from local favorites such as Brother Dan.
Fruit Fly Records owner Giovanni Hanna plans on holding performances and classes in the new space.
Fruit Fly Records photo
The shop also sells refurbished high-end audio equipment, including amps, hi-fi receivers, and Technics DJ turntables. Through Black Friday, it's offering a grand opening special: Buy three records under $25 and get one of equal or lesser value free. Fruit Fly Records is open daily from noon to 8 p.m. They're also offering $10 off a purchase of $100 or more, $30 off $200, and $50 off $300 – hey, big spenders!
Meanwhile, far to the north in Fort Lauderdale, Connect Records is getting ready for its big debut. The brand-new shop, run by a pair of veterans from recently shuttered Radio-Active Records, will finally open its doors on November 29. Although neither they nor Fruit Fly Records will carry any special Record Store Day releases, Connect is making the most of the holiday with plenty of DJ sets, giveaways, and more from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
"We're exhausted, but we're freaking excited," says co-owner Natalie Martinez. "I cannot wait for people to walk in here and see what we've created because we did it specifically and intentionally to give everyone a cool, music-safe space. There's nothing like that in Fort Lauderdale."
Along with official merch from the new shop, many of their neighbors in the Thrive Arts District, an art studio and retail development just north of downtown Fort Lauderdale, have pitched in. The shop will be selling craft beer from Uncommon Path Brewery and holding raffles of wine bottles from Rebel Wine Bar and concert tickets from Revolution Live. Glass and Pen Studios will set up a photo booth. Co-owner Mick Ford's band Gouge Away will also raffle off a test pressing of their recent record, Deep Sage.
Martinez also says customers can expect plenty of unique records, including stock Ford picked up on a recent trip to Brazil. Plenty of soul, jazz, rock, downtempo, new wave, and dance records will also be available, as well as a lot of 45s. Connect Records will be open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Fruit Fly Records. 430 S. Dixie Hwy., #205, Coral Gables; 619-565-4262; instagram.com/fruitflyrecords. Daily noon to 8 p.m.
Connect Records. 710 NW Fifth Ave., Ste. 1021, Fort Lauderdale; 954-368-8630; instagram.com/connectrecordshop. Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
