January 30, 2023.

Good morning friends,

    The older you get, sometimes the more you look backwards, and the less you forwards. 2023 marks the 18th year since we opened our store at 122 East Ave. Over the course of the years it has not been without challenges. When we first opened we had half the space that we currently have and the next year we doubled it. We were ready to take on the world 18 years ago. As I look back at it, I can smile and say it continues to be a good adventure.

     After having closed the store to walk-in customers for the past two years because of the pandemic, we have decided to reopen our doors. This will not be without challenges, but starting this week, we will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 until 5. We have had somewhat of an internal debate about doing this. Historically, most of our business comes from online sales. We have done very well using our appointment system for people interested in specfic instruments. Opening the doors is a significant change for us and it is not necessarily the most cost effective nor profitable way to run our business. However, 17 years ago as we emerged from the mansion basement, we decided to become an important part of the revival of downtown Rochester and a part of Rochester’s great musical scene. Our store was the first to open during the revitalization of East Ave. beginning with the construction of the “Sagamore-on-East" building, in which our store resides. It is a very costly space and it is a purchased condominium so we own it. Consequently, we have to contribute monthly to the maintenance of the entire building so there is some justification for its high cost. That said, I still feel that it is one of the most beautiful spaces in downtown Rochester. Over the course of the years we have had great concerts, workshops and jams. It has been the gathering place for musicians, a place where people met each other, exchanged ideas and made music. We are also planning on reinstating  our weekly jams in the "back room". Julie has held a few of her ukulele jams on the third Saturday and so we have decided to also start scheduling additional jams for that space. We plan on having an bluegrass jam, which will be led by Ben Proctor and we are also hoping to add an Irish Session. On February 25 we will have a old-time jam led by Dan Palmer. The jams will start at 12 o’clock and run roughly an hour to an hour and a half. There’s no sign-up required and beginners are welcome. 

    Since Julie and I have committed to being in Rochester Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we will be handling a good deal of the retail part of the business. We look forward to seeing many of you back again for visits and to check out our new inventory. This will be an important year for our store and we are planning MANY exciting events. As for a current, personal, health update, I’d like to say that working at the store is actually part of my physical therapy. It certainly is difficult getting around but I haven’t fallen down…yet. These days I’m feeling like a 1947 De Soto….that’s a 76-year-old car by the way. My parents had one. It had a beautiful safety feature…when we sat in the backseat we had a little cord we could hold onto in case Dad stopped too fast! Anyway, this old vehicle (me) has been in a couple of fender benders over the years and has some rust, repairs and a few structural difficulties to the frame, BUT the motor and the heart of the vehicle are still very much intact and willing to move forward. I hope to see you in the store.

Sincerely ,

John Bernunzio 

Opening day…2006

Some of the inventory that came in this week, waiting to be catalogued. Sometimes life can be very chaotic!