For 30 years, Atomic Music in Beltsville, Maryland, has been a haven for musicians and collectors alike. Founded in 1994 by Eric Schwelling and Luis Peraza, this unique music store has grown from a small rented house into a local legend. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and vast collection of used instruments, Atomic Music has become a community fixture. In an industry dominated by big-box stores, Atomic Music has found success by putting musicians first. MMR sat down with Eric and Luis to learn more about their journey, the trials they’ve overcome, and the passion that fuels Atomic Music’s enduring legacy.
MMR: Thank you both for taking the time to chat with us. Could you start by introducing yourselves and telling us where Atomic Music is based?
Eric: Sure thing. I’m Eric Schwelling.
Luis: And I’m Luis Peraza. We’re in Beltsville, Maryland, which has been our home since we started.
MMR: 30 years is quite a milestone! Let’s take it back to the beginning. How did Atomic Music get its start?
Eric: It all began in 1994 when Luis and I, along with our significant others, were headed to Lollapalooza. We’d both been buying and selling guitars on the side, and we figured, “Why not try opening a little store?” So, when we got back, I looked around and found a spot just ten minutes away—a small house for rent with a $500 monthly price tag. Luis thought it was crazy to rent the whole place, but I convinced him to go for it.
Luis: I didn’t even want to sign a lease because we’d never run a business before. But our landlord, Rhonda Brown, was incredibly supportive. She said, “Just give me 60 days’ notice if you need to leave.” That kind of flexibility was a game-changer. We dove in, got a business license, and used whatever gear we had on hand to fill the place.
MMR: So you started out selling your personal collections?
Luis: Exactly. It was mainly used gear at first. Eric would buy from pawn shops in Baltimore, and I did the same in D.C. Each day, one of us would stay in the shop while the other went on a “pawn shop loop,” building up our stock with whatever we could find. We developed relationships with local pawn shop managers who knew to expect us. It was exhausting, but we loved it.
Eric: The shop quickly became a place for musicians to hang out and buy gear without feeling taken advantage of. That was our goal from the start. Musicians would come in and feel at home; it wasn’t just about the sale.
MMR: What was the response from the local community like?
Eric: They were thrilled. People would come in and say, “I didn’t know there was a music store here.” It was like we’d opened a new clubhouse for local musicians. We treated everyone fairly, and they respected that.
Luis: We weren’t looking to make a fortune. We just wanted to make the business sustainable and provide a place where musicians could buy, sell, and trade gear without worrying about being taken advantage of. In fact, we have a policy: if someone sells us a piece of gear and decides they want it back, we’ll only mark it up 20%. It’s all about treating people right.
MMR: When did you start carrying new gear?
Luis: We stayed mostly with used gear for the first few years. About three years in, we moved to a larger space in an old Safeway building. That expansion allowed us to add some new lines, like Takamine guitars and other popular brands. But the core of our business remained in used gear, which gave us a unique identity.
Eric: Even with new inventory, we were careful. We’d only bring in new gear if we couldn’t meet demand with used stock. For example, if we were low on acoustic guitars, we’d order a few new ones, but we always preferred to keep it primarily used.
MMR: It sounds like you’ve built a really loyal customer base.
Eric: Absolutely. Many of our customers come in once a week to see what’s new. Some just come to hang out. It’s a bit like a barbershop—everyone knows each other, and there’s always someone around to talk music. We’ve even watched some of our customers grow from kids buying their first guitar to successful musicians with thriving careers.
Luis: There’s nothing like seeing someone come back to the store year after year. A lot of local players feel like Atomic is their “home base.”
MMR: You’ve had a few moves over the years. How has that impacted the business?
Luis: We’ve moved several times, mostly due to rent increases. For instance, when we were in the Safeway building, the owner raised our rent drastically, and we had to leave. We found a warehouse space nearby and made it work, even though it was less ideal. We were paying less, which helped us survive the 2008 recession.
Eric: Our current location in Beltsville is perfect. Our landlord is supportive, which is a nice change. He understands that having a long-term tenant is more valuable than raising the rent every few years. During COVID, he was extremely accommodating, and that meant a lot to us.
MMR: How did you adapt to the challenges of COVID?
Eric: COVID was tough. Demand went through the roof, but inventory was hard to come by. Luckily, an old pawn shop contact came through for us. He had about 400 guitars in stock, so each week, I’d go over and buy 30 or so guitars from him. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that kept us stocked during a critical time.
Luis: We also offered curbside pickup and even made a few deliveries. We did what we had to do to keep things running and serve our customers safely.
MMR: That’s dedication. Have you thought about expanding into lessons?
Luis: We tried it briefly with a separate building dedicated to lessons, but it wasn’t for us. Managing lessons requires a lot of time and space, and we wanted every square foot for gear. It’s just not our model. We focus on being the best used-gear store, and that’s what we’re known for.
Eric: There are plenty of other stores in the area that handle lessons. We’d rather specialize in what we’re good at, and that’s providing high-quality used gear at fair prices.
MMR: It sounds like you’ve become more than just a store for many people in your community.
Eric: Definitely. It’s rewarding to be part of people’s musical journeys. We’ve seen kids buy their first guitars here, and years later, they’re successful musicians. The relationships we’ve built are one of the most fulfilling parts of the business.
MMR: Speaking of the future, what’s next for Atomic Music?
Luis: We’re not planning on going anywhere for the next 10 to 15 years. After that, we’ll see. Maybe the employees will take over, and we’ll just pop in occasionally. Neither of us can sit still for long, though, so I doubt we’ll ever fully “retire.”
Eric: We’ll keep doing what we love for as long as we can. When the time comes, we’ll figure out an exit plan that keeps the spirit of Atomic Music alive. But for now, we’re here to stay.
MMR: That’s great to hear. Do you both still play music?
Eric: I do. I play in a couple of bands and am gearing up to record again after some back surgery. Playing music is in my DNA—I can’t imagine not doing it.
Luis: Eric’s the one still making music. I’m more focused on running the shop and making sure we’re providing the best experience for our customers.
MMR: Thank you both for sharing your story. Atomic Music is a special place, and it’s clear you’ve built something unique.
Eric: Thanks for having us. It’s been great to reflect on the journey.
Luis: And thank you. We’re grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.
For 30 years, Atomic Music has provided musicians in Beltsville, Maryland, with a place to find quality gear, build community, and share their passion for music. Eric and Luis’s story is one of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to treating every customer with fairness and respect. Here’s to many more years of Atomic Music as a pillar in the music community.
