Two shops opening in Torrido Village plan to bring some unique music and liquid beverage options to local residents and visitors. 

Steve Grisaffe previously owned a record shop along U.S. 90 that closed in 2015. Raccoon Records served as a way for Grisaffe to store his gigantic record collection and sell to interested customers.

After the shop closed, Grisaffe has been selling records out of his garage but still had a stream of interested customers looking to buy records that he’s collected over the years. Back in the old place, he even had customers from all over the world who wanted to buy authentic Louisiana swamp pop and local music during Festival International. 

Grisaffe’s large collection started after Hurricane Katrina when he received thousands of records after an insurance claim. After that, the records have kept coming, and Grisaffe is fine sharing them with the public. 

“I had to put them somewhere, so I thought I’d put them where I can open the door and sell,” he said.

Raccoon Records now has a new home in Torrido Village, where Grisaffe has been working the past few weeks to get the shop in good condition for opening day today.

“We probably have 25,000 more records in storage to restock when we run low,” he said. “We buy collections almost once a week to restock. After the first waves over, we’ll be able to restock.” 

Walking into the shop feels like a blast from the past. Vintage video game consoles, televisions and album covers line the walls of the shop

“It even smells like an old record store,” Grisaffe, who is also a professional musician with The Bayou Boys, said. “It’s perfect man. It’s like an old recording studio.”

Opening next door to Raccoon Records is Doyle’s Daiquiris, a new venture started by local businessman Doyle Copell. 

Torrido Village recently has been booming with activity due to last year’s opening of the Quarter Tavern by Copell. The bar has played host to popular fundraisers and other activities. 

Doyle’s Daiquiris isn’t your average daiquiri shop, however. Along with the usual daiquiri flavors, the shop also will sell alcoholic snoballs and “dirty” coffee. 

Copell, who said he’s had the unique idea for years, wants to give it a go in Torrido Village. 

“For years I’ve been thinking it would be cool to sell dirty coffee, and spiked snoballs sound delicious, but I just never got around to it,” he said. “When I opened the Quarter Tavern I saw this building and I’m thinking, ‘Man it’s got so much potential,’ so here I go.”

Once the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and property owners got on board with the idea, Copell said the process has been smooth sailing.  

The shop, although brightly colored, is strictly for adults and customers will be able to purchase a drink only through the drive-thru or walk-up window. Business hours are planned to be from early afternoon to around 10 p.m. 

“I was shocked to see how excited people were. To me, a daiquiri place isn’t a big deal here,” Copell said. “But people like that. The snoballs and coffee are something different. I’ve never heard of a place doing it.”

Copell said he’s expecting to open the new business in about a month or so.