Local music shops continue to change with the times
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Where are Victoria's music shops?Collins Music Center3112 N. Navarro St., Ste. F361-582-0357
Navratil Music Co.319 E. Rio Grande St.361-575-1351
Tee's Music House906 E. Red River St.361-575-0204
Tips to keep the business rolling in for music store owners. ...
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Where are Victoria's music shops?Collins Music Center3112 N. Navarro St., Ste. F361-582-0357
Navratil Music Co.319 E. Rio Grande St.361-575-1351
Tee's Music House906 E. Red River St.361-575-0204
Tips to keep the business rolling in for music store owners. Local owners offer advise:
Focus on customer service.
Be honest, greet the customer and treat everyone equally.
Know what you're buying.
The hardest part of owning a music store is knowing what to buy. Check out the products beforehand and be knowledgeable about them. If a customer has a question, you want to have an answer.
Stay on top of things.
Know what's popular and know what's going on at your location. Also, try to keep overhead at a minimum.
Don't wait on the business to come to you.
Music stores often call on schools because band directors are under a lot of stress. See if they need any help. That tactic is likely to draw in more business than simply waiting for the phone to ring.
Be flexible.
Things will always fluctuate. Sometimes business is up and sometimes it's down. Be prepared to adapt to change.
Sources: Randy Collins, co-owner of Collins Music Center, Bill Navratil, owner of Navratil Music Co. and Harold Tiemann, owner of Tee's Music House
It's been nearly 30 years since Tee's Music Center first opened, but things remain largely unchanged.
Drum sets, guitars and instruction books dot the store, while tunes snake through the air.
The shop began as a repair company and that remains its primary business, owner Harold Tiemann said,
But some things have changed. There's added emphasis on the retail side, for instance, and Tiemann doesn't solicit business as he did in the past.
"If someone retires, we might take over," Tiemann said. "And we still call on schools, but it's not like it was 10 years ago."
As with most industries, music stores find themselves changing with the times.
Going online
The Internet age has eaten into some of Navratil Music Co.'s sales, owner Bill Navratil said, adding that online shopping comes with risks.
Sometimes, he said, the quality isn't what a person expects it to be.
"I understand them trying to save a dollar here and there," said Navratil, 78. "But ... my thinking is I'd rather see it before I buy it."
Music stores typically check out items before they sell them and, if something is faulty, will try to right the situation, Tiemann said. That isn't always the case with online or discount buys.
Shops also offer services a person just can't get online, such as guitar repairs, strings, said Randy Collins, who owns Collins Music Center.
The Internet isn't all bad, though, he said, adding it offers store owners price guidelines and helps them stay competitive.
It also helps a company get its name out there, said Tiemann, who has e-mail but hopes to do more online.
"We're trying to figure out how to work with that," he said.
Economic impact
The music industry often adapts to changes, and the economic downturn is no different, Navratil said.
"We just ride with the tide," he said. "Things have been pretty steady."
Navratil said he sees more people calling to check on prices before buying.
Tee's has seen fewer people visiting from surrounding counties since gas prices rose, Tiemann said, adding he's also noticed a change in buying habits.
Out-of-towners now often purchase two packs of guitar strings instead of one because they will last them longer. But they'll keep coming in, Tiemann said.
"If people are out of work, if they're musicians, they'll still be playing music," he said. "It's what a lot of people do to relax."
Sales are up about 16 percent at Collins Music Center's Victoria site, something Collins said was a happy surprise.
"I thought we'd see flat to negative growth," said Collins, who co-owns the shop with his wife, Clarke Collins. "But this has always been a strong market for us."
He attributed his growth to a few months of strong guitar sales and an increasing customer base.
The beginner band instrument market seemed higher than average this year, he added.
The band scene
Band membership has dropped for many schools, and that affects shop owners nationwide, Collins said.
Competition is likely part of the problem, he said, since band competes with activities such as swimming, volleyball and theater.
There are exceptions to the rule, however.
Victoria's previously-declining band rate changed courses, said Jay Lester, director of fine arts for the Victoria school district.
"Last year our numbers were up," he said, explaining the district brought a renewed effort in recruiting new members and maintaining current ones. "And I see that trend continuing."
High school band enrollment for the 2009-10 school year sits at roughly 185 people, he said, while the previous year saw about 135.
Lester admitted next year's district changes - which include splitting into two high schools and adding a middle school - will bring obstacles, such as new equipment purchases.
The bands will continue on with help from the local music stores, Lester said, adding that it's unusual for a town Victoria's size to have so many stores.
"We have a good relationship with the local stores that serve us," he said. "They go out of their way to meet our needs."
And, as for those shops? They'll continue on, too, Navratil said.
"There have always been ups and downs, and there always will be," he said. "But music is the universal language."
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