And the Beat Goes On
Miami is a tough, tough town to open a small business. Unless you're either a strip club or cafecito window (what if someone combined the two? Now THAT would be innovation), of course. I've seen a lot of great places opened by some really creative people (A restaurant, Amate tea lounge, any cute boutique on or around Lincoln Road) get stomped quicker than Ohio State playing USC (ooh, burn). I'm not sure why they fail, but if I had to guess, it's because of that classic Miami indifference toward independent businesses. I'm as guilty as anyone for not frequenting these places enough - but it's not because I'd rather go to Starbucks and Target, it's solely because I'm unadventurous and, well, lazy. I think about going to the Upper East Side Garden for one of their fun-sounding events, then I convince myself it would take too much energy to hang with the cool kids, when in reality, the UEG is a really just a cool place to just chill and have a beer.
All that said, one business that has not only managed to survive but grow and just get better and better is Sweat Records. I remember when it was on Second Avenue, near the School Board, and thinking, "This place is so awesome - It'll never make it." And after a hurricane totally wrecked the place, I thought for sure that was the bitter end. Then, months passed and low and behold, Sweat was resurrected! Owner Lolo, who has become quite the media-savvy indie darling of Miami, kept the record store's street cred by opening up in the back of Churchill's Pub. It was a temporary space until she found new digs, and eventually she did - choosing to stay in sketchy Little Haiti. Cool events, a café and, of course, lots of musical goodness made Sweat better than ever. Last weekend, they even held a party to celebrate the new mural painted on the side of the building -- an ode to the artist's and Lolo's favorite musicians.
Last night, Sweat Records was broken into. The vandals not only stole valuables such as the computer, credit card machine, cash drawer, projector and DJ equipment, but they also trashed the place, including a beautiful aquarium. Despite all this, on her blog, Lolo assures everyone that the incident is just "going to make us work harder to make Miami even better and worthy of all the awesome people who live here." And also despite all this, Sweat is moving ahead with a new event on Tuesday -- a comedy showcase called Casa De Ha-Ha. "The thieves left the espresso machine and the microwave," Lolo writes, "so we'll have drinks, popcorn and treats. Starts at 9 p.m.!!" Seriously, if this doesn't inspire you to have faith in humanity (which happens every time I have to drive anywhere in this city), then you are a cold, cold robot.
If you'd like to donate (or if you have a spare projector/aquarium/computer lying around, that would work, too) money to help Sweat get back on their feet, please visit their website.
And even if you don't, the next time you're hungry/thirsty/in the mood to shop, consider stopping by that place you always drive by but never go in because, like most humans, you're averse to change. Do it anyway - not only will the owners be totally psyched that someone new wanted to check out their business that they most likely sunk every penny they had into, but you'll feel totally hip when you tell all your friends you found a cool new place. If you have some of your own favorite hole-in-the-walls, I'd love for you to share. In the meantime, here are a few of mine: Garden of Eatin', Nektar De Stagni (155 NE 38th St., Design District; 305-576-6695) and Karelle Levy's (180 NW 25th St., Wynwood; 305-576-7465) boutiques and Lost & Found Saloon -- and that one's right on the way to Target.
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I definitely agree with your article. I often try to find those "hidden gems" around Miami, from boutiques to family owned restaurants, and some of them are places I love and continue to visit as often as I can. I have many, but is too bad u can't add new businesses on this website. I would love to write about them!
Posted by: gsabrin22 on Wed, 2008-10-15 16:23