Papa Jazz Record Shoppe

Papa Jazz Record Shoppe is a Five Points institution in Columbia with deep jazz roots and a broad new-and-used music selection. In the interview, the shop talks about buying across genres, the local college-town audience, 45s and 78s, and why condition and pressing matter more than a famous artist name alone.

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Interview with Papa Jazz Record Shoppe

Papa Jazz is a Five Points institution in Columbia — how did the shop earn that longstanding reputation, and where does the name come from?

The name came from the original owner, Rich Joseph, who was a huge jazz head. The store's original name was Rich's Record Exchange. We got our reputation for stocking one of the best selections of new and used music in the Southeast, but we are specifically proud of our jazz collection.

You're genuinely open — "interested in all genres, would consider anything" — even with a rock/soul/jazz/R&B/country core. How did that come-one-come-all buying stance develop?

I don't think you can be a record store worth your salt if you don't stock a little bit of everything. We try to appeal to everyone. It's our formula for success.

Columbia's a college town (USC) with its own scene; who comes through Papa Jazz, and how's the local record world?

We get people from all walks of life, but definitely tons of local college students from USC. Because of our proximity to the university, we get tons of customers from all over the world.

What's the most valuable or surprising record that's come through the door?

Every now and again, we've encountered a privately pressed local psych rock record by a band called Christopher. This album, of which only 100 are belived to exist, fetches 1K or more and we are always happy to see one, especially due to the local connection.

Roughly what does a common record fetch versus something you're genuinely excited to buy?

We're excited to buy anything we think we can sell. Most records go from between $5 - $25.

With deep jazz roots — do you buy 78s, where so much early jazz lives, and 45s?

We don't deal very often in 78s. Most people no longer have the players. However, if it is something special, we always make an exception. We have thousands of 45s. Most are priced at 50 cents apiece.

Should sellers clean records before bringing them, and what condition problems hurt value most?

No need to clean. Our in house record buyer cleans and prices everything. The better the condition, the better the price!

What do people most often overestimate about their records — and what quietly sells better than they'd guess?

Everyone thinks they will retire off the value of their Beatles or other classic rock records. Yes, they have value, but most people forget that thousands upon thousands were pressed. It's the lesser known titles in smaller pressings that fetch the most value.

Last updated: 2026-09-10

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