Grand re-opening and ribbon cutting for Papa Jazz Record Shoppe

The City of Columbia celebrated the grand re-opening of Papa Jazz Record Shoppe today, (December 10), a fixture of the Five Points community since 1982. Owned by Tim Smith, the shop offers an extensive selection of vinyl records and CDs spanning all music genres, making it a hub for music enthusiasts to buy, sell, and trade.

Tim Smith, the sole surviving record store owner in an area that once hosted seven shops within a mile, credits his longevity to embracing the internet as an opportunity rather than a threat. His passion for music began with iconic artists like Curtis Mayfield, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and Isaac Hayes. A drummer since his high school years, Smith’s love for jazz was sparked by John Coltrane’s groundbreaking albums.

Smith’s journey with Papa Jazz began during his time at the University of South Carolina. When the store first opened on North Main Street, he joined the team within its first year. Smith and a partner later purchased the store for $20,000.

Papa Jazz Record Shoppe, located at 2014 Greene Street, continues to serve music lovers six days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This grand re-opening marks an exciting new chapter for the iconic store as it continues to enrich Columbia’s music scene.

 Logo from the Papa Jazz Facebook page.