Published
Fri, Jan 7, 2022, 14:50
- We spoke with founders Taimur and Gina Agha about the move.
Miami store T Bag Records has opened at a new location.
Founders Taimur and Gina Agha, the husband-and-wife team who also run the label and party series Blkmarket Music, soft-launched the shop during Art Basel in December. Located at 5789 Northwest 7th Avenue, the new spot is now open from Tuesday through Saturday for in-person digging.
The original T Bag opened in April 2021 out of necessity. "I had no work like everyone else," Taimur told Resident Advisor. "No gigs, no events, no income. I didn't get any aid from the government either."
Taimur decided to make use of his extensive record collection and years of experience, both behind the decks and as the former dance music buyer at New York's fabled Halcyon Records. (He also stumbled into Halcyon during a time of crisis: "In 2008 I lost my advertising day job during the recession," he told RA. "During this time I was asked to come on board.")
Taimur initially turned his record collection into an online shopping service, curating bespoke crates based on a punters' tastes. But the dream was always to have a physical store.
"I've always said that one day I'd like to open up my own shop," he said. "In April 2021, when things were opening up again in Miami, we opened up our first brick--and-mortar shop and T Bag Records was born. It was located inside a thrift shop in downtown Miami called Sir Thrifty."
The shop quickly became a community hub, but due to increasing rent prices and the ongoing gentrification of downtown Miami, Taimur and Gina were forced to shut in early November. Not ones to be deterred, the pair soldiered on. "Ask the Universe for what you wish for, believe, and receive," said Gina.
The new location expands upon the ethos of curated selections. The focus remains on "strictly underground dance music," Taimur said, running the gamut from progressive house to '90s breaks. This is a small market in the US, but one which they are happy to be at the forefront of.
"We're the only dedicated electronic dance music shop in south Florida," Gina said. "It's a niche but one we're extremely proud to be a part of. In the most humble way, we are the pulse of intelligent underground music and we love uniting people of like minds."
As well as vinyl, shoppers can enjoy a range of loose-leaf teas while they dig. Here are some photos of the new store.
Photo of Taimur & Gina: Giannina Bariani
All others: Diego Tabango
Photo of Taimur & Gina: Giannina Bariani All others: Diego Tabango