To commemorate the occasion, Sweat is hosting a special 20th-anniversary event on Saturday, March 15, at ZeyZey, featuring an impressive lineup. Headlining the night is Grammy winner Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas performing some songs from his albums Boleros Psicodélicos and Jaguar Sound. Also on the bill is a DJ set by Ale & Mle of Las Nubes, along with the highly anticipated reunion of ANR (Awesome New Republic).
"When we first opened, ANR was practically our house band," Reskin says. "We helped them put out a 12-inch, their first ever vinyl; we helped them put out their first ever official CD. They're UM music school kids, so talented. Pitchfork reviewed the CD somehow and gave them a 7.9."
The band's anniversary party performance will mark the first time they have played together in over a decade. Additionally, the event will feature DJ sets by Richie Hell, Sinopoli, StanMiami, and Sweat Records' own Lolo and DJ Hottpants. Sweat will also mark the two-decade milestone with a special book release later this year, documenting its history with stories, photos, and a limited-edition, seven-inch vinyl.
How Sweat Records Came to Be
Reskin's love for music was ignited at an early age, growing up in a household filled with music. Many of her relatives were musicians, including her father, a classical trumpet player who introduced her to a wide variety of genres. Like most children in Miami, she grew up going to Hot Wheels Skating Center in Kendall, where she found herself captivated by the DJs who controlled the energy of the room, setting the rhythm for every skater on the rink. The sight of the booth, adorned with vinyl records on the walls, left a lasting impression on her. She recalls having Rolling Stone and Spin magazine subscriptions as a kid, devouring every issue and deepening her passion for music. When she was 16, Virgin Megastore opened at Sunset Place in South Miami, and she was determined to work there. "I pretty much swore to the heavens I would get a job there. I bothered them until they hired me, and I worked there for six years," she adds. It further strengthened her love for music and set her on the path to opening her own record store.
The genesis of Sweat Records came from a trip Reskin took to Portland, Oregon, where she was amazed to find a guide to the city's many independent record stores. "They have so many shops they need a guide? That's not fair; I wish Miami had that!" she thought to herself.
In 2005, a 22-year-old Reskin opened the first incarnation of Sweat alongside her best friend, Sara Yousuf. Located in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood, the store was inside an old building next to a tiny Pentecostal church. With a backyard space perfect for entertaining, the pair began hosting events and concerts for Miami's local music scene, building a tiny DIY stage surrounded by graffiti murals. In its first eight months of existence, Sweat hosted Schematic Records' Infiltrate party; a vegan festival; Prince tribute shows; and Ian MacKaye's band, the Evens; among many others.
At the time, the music industry was in a state of transition. The compact disc was still the preferred physical music format, while vinyl was considered a niche collector's item. Sweat initially stocked a 50-50 split between CDs and vinyl records. Fast forward to today, and vinyl sales have surpassed CDs as the most popular form of physical recorded music. The shift in consumer habits has made opening a vinyl record store a logical move in the present day, but in 2005, it was a bold venture.
Then, on October 24, 2005, Hurricane Wilma careened through South Florida, causing considerable damage to the nascent record store, forcing Sweat to temporarily relocate to the back of Churchill's Pub in Little Haiti. Finally, in 2007, it moved to its current location next door to the now-shuttered punk venue. It has called its Little Haiti locale home for the past 17 years, something Reskin attributes to the business's ability to remain adaptable.
"If we weren't adaptable, we would still have 50 percent CDs, and we would have had a rough time the last couple of years," Reskin explains. "Right now, we're at like 95 percent vinyl because that is what the bulk majority of people are coming here looking for."
Sweat's Role in Miami's Music Scene
Over the year, Sweat Records has positioned itself as more than just a record store — it's a community hub. Mitchell Kaplan, the owner of Books & Books and one of Reskin's key mentors, once shared his perspective that his bookstore sees itself as a cultural organization that funds itself through book sales. This philosophy resonated deeply with Reskin, who applies the same mindset to Sweat. From day one, Sweat's Little Haiti location had a stage, making live music an integral part of its identity. It ensured that events were accessible, inclusive, and open to all ages while fostering a space where people of all backgrounds could come together over music and culture. "Indie nightlife was always very divided when I was younger, which is why I wanted Sweat to be a neutral, benevolent entity from day one. We've always supported events even if they compete with a night where we have something going on and have a flyer area where anyone can promote their events or music," Reskin says.
One of the earliest groups to find a home at Sweat was Emerge Miami, a political organization that later evolved into Engage Miami. Its weekly meetings helped solidify Sweat's reputation as a vital space where activism, civic engagement, and music intersect. Every month, you can find a wide variety of events happening at the store, from listening parties, DJ sets, and concerts to informative events like the recent "Josephine Baker in Miami," an experience that featured Black Miami-Dade's founder and historian Nadege Green and highlighted the Harlem Renaissance's impact on Miami.
Sweat has played a crucial role in supporting local and touring musicians, providing a space for live shows, and even giving some artists their first-ever gigs. Denzel Curry played one of his first shows at Sweat, while countless other bands and DJs have passed through its doors. Sweat is even featured in Iggy Pop's music video for the song "Loves Missing."
Jimmy Buffett helped Sweat Records during the pandemic, paying off its rent throughout the summer.
Sweat Records photo
Surviving the Pandemic
Even with all the support it has received over the years, Sweat has faced numerous obstacles. The 2008 recession, Miami's rising rents, and the COVID-19 pandemic all posed significant threats to the store's survival. However, resilience and strong community support allowed the store to persevere. "The one fortunate thing for us about the pandemic was that we had spent most of 2019 building an e-commerce shop," Reskin says. The store's online presence became crucial when in-person sales came to a halt. Sweat had a coffee shop inside the store for years, which sadly closed during the pandemic. The store also faced the difficult decision of laying off all but one employee to stay afloat.
Grants from organizations like the Miami Foundation provided some financial relief, helping Sweat weather the storm. Musician and businessman Jimmy Buffett, a longtime customer, generously wrote the store a check to help cover the rent in the summer of 2020. As conditions gradually improved, Sweat cautiously reopened its doors, implementing social distancing measures to ensure customer safety. Slowly, the store adapted to the new normal, reaffirming its commitment to serving Miami's music lovers.
Expanding the Vision
Looking ahead, Sweat is doubling down on its goal to foster music discovery, support local artists, and keep independent music culture alive. With a growing emphasis on world music, the store now boasts one of the most comprehensive international vinyl selections in Florida. Customers can walk in and find vinyl records from all over the world, including rare and obscure releases.Sweat's staff spans generations, reinforcing its commitment to keeping music knowledge alive and offering customers an invaluable intergenerational perspective on music. "My employees have great recommendations," Reskin says. "Flipping through a bin and scrolling through an algorithm are just two completely different acts, and there's nothing that takes the place of being in front of everything and being able, if you want it, to take it home that minute."
Its efforts to create memorable experiences for its customers have certainly paid off, and last year marked its best sales year for the third consecutive year. The milestone reflects not only the store's enduring relevance but also the unwavering support of Miami's music community. Sweat has become essential to Miami's cultural landscape by continuously evolving, curating a diverse music selection, and fostering a space for music lovers to connect.
As one of Miami's longest-running independent record stores, Sweat remains committed to fostering music discovery, community engagement, and cultural preservation. Its team is passionate about ensuring Miami's music lovers have a space to gather, listen, and celebrate their shared love of vinyl.
With two decades under its belt, Sweat Records continues to be a testament to the power of independent businesses and the resilience of Miami's music scene. As they look to the future, Reskin and her team remain committed to making Sweat a space where music lovers can discover new sounds, connect with their community, and celebrate the art of vinyl.
Sweat Records 20th Anniversary Party. With Adrian Quesada, ANR, Ale & Mle, Lolo, DJ Hottpants, and others. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at ZeyZey, 353 NE 61st St., Miami; zeyzeymiami.com. Tickets cost $30 to $40 via eventbrite.com.
