With a city history punctuated with notable figures and milestones within blues, jazz, gospel, rock, punk, hip-hop, and pop, Chicago has left an undeniable mark on the music world. Heck, industrial and house music were both birthed in Chi-Town.
Home to a high concentration of colleges and universities boasting world-class music instruction – Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music, DePaul University School of Music, Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and Columbia College Chicago to name but a few – as well as a thriving live performance scene, Chicago is a natural hotspot for MI retail. MMR recently checked in with a few suppliers and dealers who call the Windy City home to learn about the benefits of, and occasional challenges related to, doing business in the area.
Michael Skinner
President
DANSR, inc.
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI business in Chicago?
The upside for us is that we stay close to the musicians. Chicago is a terrific clarinet town with many talented soloists and ensembles. Plus, with all the colleges and the Symphony, it’s a great place to stay close to our key users.
As an MI corporation, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
We haven’t noticed if there is. This is our 18th year in Chicago with hardly any issues that I can think of.
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education, and culture?
It’s a really diverse town for music and art and architecture! Everything from jazz to classical and everything in between. There are so many venues in Chicago that cater to practically every type of music. As I mentioned earlier, the colleges here have great music programs making it a great place to learn your craft and then turn around and apply it.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
I think Chicago was on a roll before the Pandemic. There was growth in so many sectors. Those two years were really obstacles to continuing the momentum we had. But, like all great cities, this one will rebound with more music, more art and more places to see and hear them. Oh, did I mention it’s a great sports town, too?
David Mandelbrot
Chief Executive Officer
Reverb
What are some of the upsides to operating a MI business in Chicago?
Since launching in Chicago in 2013, Reverb has transformed from a small team of musicians above a drum shop to a nearly 250 person company that touches a global community of over two million music makers. Some of Reverb’s earliest buyers and sellers shared our hometown – from shops like Rock N Roll Vintage and Modern Music to Chicago-born bands like Wilco. Chicago’s musical history is incredibly rich, which is why so many musicians, shops, and even gear manufacturers – like Lyon & Healy, Washburn Guitars, and Harmony Guitars – call it home.
For Reverb, one of the biggest benefits of starting out in Chicago was that it helped us build our team. Not only is Chicago home to a large number of talented musicians and gearheads, but also it attracts remarkable talent across product development, marketing, data science and more. While our team now spans the U.S. and beyond, our earliest team members who helped build Reverb into what it is today and a large portion of our current team are musicians based in Chicago.
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education, and culture?
If I could sum up the Chicago music scene and culture into one word, it would be “supportive.” There’s a sense that if one person or group in the industry finds success, it uplifts the entire musical community. I see this in our team members, who regularly promote and contribute to each other’s musical projects, as well as in the youth music education organizations we work with through our Reverb Gives program. I’m proud that we get to benefit the community in a number of ways – helping local shops sell gear to a broader national and international audience, connecting local musicians with gear for their next show or album, employing a large number of local musicians, and providing music gear grants to local schools and nonprofits. It’s an incredibly creative and passionate community and I feel fortunate that so many of our team members across marketing, tech, and customer support come and benefit from the support and energy of the local music community.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
I continue to be blown away by the youth music education programs that exist in Chicago. There are countless nonprofits and schools in the area that understand how making music benefits children and young adults, and they are dedicated to making music education accessible to as many young people as possible. One great example is The People’s School of Music, a completely free music school serving kids in the Chicago metropolitan area. They boast the research-backed benefits of music education – it leads to higher graduation rates, higher salaries, lower crime rates, and more.
The People’s School of Music is just one of nearly two dozen local programs we’ve had the opportunity to support through our Reverb Gives program. More recently, we’ve helped AFRORACK purchase modular synthesis gear accessories for youth workshops on Chicago’s South and West sides, as well as helped LYTE Collective build a new music studio for young adults impacted by poverty and homelessness in Chicago. Their work is ensuring not only that the musical needs of students are met today, but that Chicago’s great musical legacy will continue for generations to come.
Justin Chaves
Sales/repairs/rentals manager
Flatts and Sharpe
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI business in Chicago?
As far as upsides being in the city there is a large amount of foot traffic and a very large community of musicians, artists and creative people of all ages we get to meet and help out with the services we provide. The creativity in this city is off the charts and it truly feels special to be a part of it!
As an MI retailer, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
As far as challenges with the city I can’t think of too much at the moment that are Chicago specific, besides our sales tax percentage compared to other parts of the U.S. Ha!
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education, and culture?
The overall vibe of Chicago is very supportive with the arts and always has been extremely rich in music and arts culture. Plenty of live music going on in the city and when summertime comes around the block party/street fest music performance scene is amazing. A Lot of the schools in Chicago have excellent music education programs including us here at Flatts and Sharpe! There also never seems to be a shortage of people interested in learning to play an instrument for the first time in this city as well.
In your store’s time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
With my years at Flatts and Sharpe I have seen my neighborhood and city change and evolve constantly. So much has changed in the past decade and I look forward to what the future will bring for our hood and the city as a whole. There has been a decrease in music venues in Chicago partially due to covid and other reasons and I do see the music venue scene increasing and changing for the better in the future. Chicago always is and has been evolving in all industries which make this city so exciting. There is always something new happening, new places to go check out and people constantly pushing the envelope and what they do that it is awesome to be a part of all of it!
Larry Brown
Store Manager
Guitar Works
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI retail store in Chicago?
Chicago has always had a vibrant and diverse music scene, with some of the most talented musicians in the world. There are great opportunities for a music store to serve all of Chicagoland’s musical communities, from churches to touring bands. Turning musical friends into loyal customers is easy in a community like ours.
As an MI dealer, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
Ever-rising real estate costs and property taxes can be challenging for small businesses, particularly when sales do not keep up with inflation.
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education, and culture?
Over the years, Chicago has been at the heart of essential musical movements and has produced some of the world’s most influential players, from blues, jazz and soul legends to rock and hip hop gods. Each of the city’s neighborhoods seems to have its own scene going on, with new venues opening up alongside famous ones, and on any given evening, you can find a local or touring act playing anything from Roots Country to House music for enthusiastic crowds. I hope that never changes.
Music education seems to be thriving, thanks to places like School of Rock, the Old Town School of Folk Music, and local music stores like ours, with a dedicated and talented staff of teachers that has been passing on their knowledge to generations of students for decades.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
Our business is fairly unusual, in that we were selling and fixing guitars long before the internet. As much as cities continue to change and evolve, businesses have made innumerable changes in a very short time. Local stores like ours used to compete with other area music shops for business, but online sales have turned every music retailer into a national competitor. This favors larger music chains with bigger inventories. Chicago is no exception. There may be a young guitar player that lives around the corner from us that buys their next instrument from a store in California or Kentucky, if we don’t carry a favorite brand or offer a competitive price. As Chicago continues to change with the times, I hope we see a return to localized shopping, with an emphasis on service. That will always favor businesses that prioritize helping their customers, like ours.
Chris Eudy
Owner
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI repair shop in Chicago?
Well the best thing about operating a guitar shop in Chicago is the musicians! The Third Coast crew are all huge music fans, all play guitar in bands, and just in general like being with other musicians, no matter the music or their skill set. Also, Chicago weather is pretty brutal on guitars, so we always are super busy! Lots of cracked guitars and loose frets…
As an MI business, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
Chicago is pretty spread out geographically, so that can make reaching everyone a bit harder. Plus, finding reasonable real estate in the city is getting much more difficult. The neighborhood (Randolph Street Market) where we have been operating in our 6,000 square foot warehouse loft for over 20 years now is just getting so congested with redevelopment. You can’t park, there are construction trucks and cranes everywhere,
[and] just way too much heavy activity.
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education, and culture?
I have always thought the music scene here is great. I moved from North Carolina in 1992 to Chicago to be a musician and performer. There are tons of great teachers and venues, even in the shadow of COVID. More diverse retailers would be great, but that is just
not the market right now. I do wish there were a bit more crossover with the great styles of music that exist here in the city: gospel, rock, hip hop, indie, blues, Americana, jazz. So many great players and songwriters in Chicago, [I’d] just like to see more collaboration.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
Like New York, Chicago has been seeing a good amount of redevelopment and gentrification over the last 20 years. I think that may be the price of progress, but it also detracts from the “Neighborhood” feeling of the city. Unfortunately, the city is becoming a ton more homogeneous in its architecture, culture, and “vibe.” That has certainly made the city feel more orderly, but I am not 100 percent sure that is a good thing! Chicago’s Neighborhoods are such a strong part of the city’s identity, I hate to see that slip away.
Doug Cannon
Owner
Austin Music Center
Can you talk about some of the upsides of being an MI retailer in Chicago?
Well, I suppose the location is one real good thing, because we’re not that far from the East Coast for shipping. A big place like Harris-Teller is right about six miles from me, you know. A lot of the shipping logistics are pretty good even though shipping prices continue to go up. Plus, the music scene is really good for live music, professional musicians. The school programs are pretty big around here. They get quite a bit of support from most districts. So, it’s a pretty big music place. That’s probably the biggest upside.
And the flip side of that same coin: what are the downsides or the challenges of operating an MI store in Chicago?
I don’t know about just Chicago specifically, but just operating a retail music store and battling with the internet, and Amazon, and Walmart, so that’s probably one thing. Aside from that, winter can be not so great here in Chicago, sometimes.
That’s true. Okay. You already sort of touched on this a little bit, but if you want to expand on it, can you describe the overall sort of music performance, arts, culture, and arts education vibe in Chicago?
It’s still pretty strong. Some schools have dropped music and arts, but not too much in the suburbs. And even Chicago public schools – not all of them, but a lot – do you have big music programs. Plus the live music scene is good. There are a lot of clubs back open now. We’ve got a big blues scene. big jazz scene, you know? There’s a blues festival every summer, and of course the Chicago Jazz Festival. So, music… it’s alive here.
In your time operating Austin Music Center in Chicago, how, if at all, has the city changed?
It’s probably a little smaller in some respects just because, again, of everyone being able to order things online so much. But we do repairs, so that’s good because, you know, you kind of need to bring your instrument in to somebody. And it’s good to have a local music store where you can buy a guitar and, if you’ve got a problem with it, you can go back and have it resolved. Or you want some advice on it, you know where to go rather than sending an email and waiting for a response.
Max Brink
The Chicago Electric Piano Co.
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI retail store and repair shop in Chicago?
One of the most exciting things about operating a MI repair shop in Chicago is being a largely populated city that attracts visitors from all over the world.
As an MI business, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
Winter in The Windy City can be pretty brutal, especially if you are trying to get to the shop via public transit, but otherwise we couldn’t imagine operating anywhere else – which might be obvious because “Chicago” is right there in our company’s name!
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education, and culture?
Chicago loves vintage instruments and vintage gear. There are great vintage guitar shops to visit and there are also so many legendary instruments built right here in Chicago. Hammond organs were built here. Wurlitzers were built nearby. Ludwig and Slingerland drums. It was once the acoustic piano manufacturing capital of the world.
The city is home to the electric blues, and also the birthplace of house music. In addition you have legends in gospel music, jazz, and big names in every decade of rock and pop. On any given day you can find a live performance of whatever music you are looking for and that’s what excites us about Chicago’s music culture.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
In the past ten years we’ve built relationships with countless musicians that have migrated to music scenes in LA, NYC, or Nashville. Many of them have great pride in coming from Chicago and our hope would be that they’ll act as ambassadors to introduce outside musicians and audiences to the best cultural aspects that Chicago has to offer.
Steve Baker
Co-owner, along with Dan Wolf
Chicago Fret Works
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI repair shop in Chicago?
Chicago is a big music city and guitar music remains prominent here. There’s lots of music clubs so touring groups are always coming through and there’s lots of local professionals we work with as well. But more than anything, it’s just regular folks like us who love playing guitar and making music. There’s enough demand that our repair-only shop has 8 employees and there’s other shops like ours in town.
As an MI business, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
I suppose you could argue this as a business upside for us because there’s more need for repairs, but the changing seasons in the Midwest make it difficult to maintain anything made of wood. The summers are warm and humid and guitars get very happy during that time. But then cold dry winters and hot radiators suck the moisture content from wood and cause all sorts of problems – cracks, failed glue joints, loose frets. We have a whole lesson on humidifying guitars properly that we could all recite in our sleep. I’d estimate that, especially in the later winter and spring, 75 percent of our work is related to a lack of humidity. We stock a variety of guitar case humidifiers but we also encourage our clients to invest in home humidifiers.
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education, and culture?
Eclectic. I’m very guitar-centric in my musical tastes but this city has all sorts of music scenes. There’s a number of rehearsal space buildings – band hotels – that you can walk through and hear groups playing dance, hip-hop, jazz, classic rock, speed metal, country… And there’s venues for every genre. Unfortunately the public school system here is very dependent on neighborhoods, so struggling areas have virtually no music education in their budgets while well-off neighborhoods can have incredible facilities and resources for kids. But organizations like Intonation Music have taken up the cause and provided musical education opportunities for kids who wouldn’t have access otherwise. And we’re lucky to be neighbors with the Old Town School Of Folk Music where people of all ages can learn music in an informal setting.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
I think the biggest changes aren’t just in Chicago. COVID seemed to inspire everyone to take out the guitar that was under the bed or to upgrade parts to their existing instruments. We’ve been busier than ever for the last two years and are curious to see if people stay with it long term. There’s also been the general expansion of phones and social media over the last decade. We’ve become acclimated to the world of immediate gratification, same day delivery, fast and cheap. But there’s no shortcuts in guitar repair or in learning music. Everything has to be done by hand and you can’t rush that. It takes a conscious effort to do it, but I hope folks will decide to turn off screens and get back to making music together.
Joe Starita
Owner
Rossi Music
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI retail store in Chicago?
Chicago is very large and energetic so there is always a lot of music going on and because of that, there are problems to solve, repairs to make, performances to prepare, et cetera. We facilitate that and happily. We’re often the emergency pit stop on the race to the stage and we’re here for that. We enjoy continuing to learn our areas unique needs. As they change and flex, so do we. Any given day- stringing something strange like a bowed psaltery while on the phone trying to outfit a mariachi band with custom lyres when an Irish gentleman walks in with a banjo and a bodhran to be re-skinned. We’re born for this kind of thing and relish the daily variation.
As an MI dealer, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
Well, on top of the Internet eliminating a large amount of store entrances that might result in extraneous purchases, as well as search engine prioritization, it’s a big town and it can be very easy to get lost in the sprawl.
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, etc.
Chicago is home to people from absolutely everywhere and we’ve all brought music. There is a fervor and pride for art here that is vivid and the benefits of musical study and pursuit are obvious to most families here. Creativity is important here. Learning to use your tools well is important here.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
We’ve been here in Oaklawn, Illinois since 1958. Listing the changes we’ve witnessed and weathered would require a multi- volume book deal. Chicago is all about innovation and authenticity at once. Heavy threads of tradition sewn in everywhere while striving to invent what’s coming next. That won’t change and as a result you can always expect to find rare and exciting music here, alive and well.
Tony Hall
District Manager, Chicagoland Area
Guitar Center
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI retail store in Chicago?
There is an electricity in the air in Chicago, and you feel that in spades at a musical instrument retailer. It’s a very, very busy city. Obviously, a lot of people live here, but we also have a lot of tourism, especially in Lincoln Park, where our flagship Chicago store is located, that affects the kinds of traffic we get at our stores. And, as a result, we have a constant stream of the latest new, used and vintage gear coming in and out of our inventory and that is a huge upside for our Associates.
Additionally, Chicago has great legendary sports teams, amazing food, and so much to see.
The city is also filled with historic music venues, and the scene is very active, with a wide variety of musicians playing diverse music genres. Fox example, Chicago blues is a tradition that is alive and well here, not to mention all the great indie rock, Latin, jazz, EDM, and so on, created here, and our stores have all the best tools of the trade for these artists.
As an MI dealer, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
Just like it is in any major metro area, auto traffic is a problem, and can be problematic in the Chicagoland area. A lot of people find ways to get around without owning their own vehicle, and that includes many of our Associates, especially at the Lincoln Park location. It works smoothly, but on the occasions when our Associates have to work off-site, we make sure all of our transportation and shipping details have been worked out in advance. Also, at our store in Chicago, there is not much parking so we find creative ways around these obstacles to service our customers, and I think we do well in that department.
How would you describe the overall vibe of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education and culture?
Chicago’s music scene is truly incredible. It’s an awesome vibe. The city is full of different venues – Excalibur, Kingston Mines, and so many more. We have the whole history of Chicago blues, which continues to the present day, and there is the legacy of the alternative and indie rock here, like the Smashing Pumpkins and others. Then, there is the electronic music that has been created here, like the Chicago house genre, and so much great hip-hop. Tons of Latin music too. Event-wise, Pitchfork Festival and Lollapalooza take place here every year. There is always something happening. It’s a great place to be a musician or a fan of music.
In your business’s time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
Chicago is evolving every day. We have made a lot of improvements to our transit system, which really affects how people get around. The easy of transportation services like Uber and Lyft have had a big effect too. Neighborhoods are changing rapidly – you’re seeing new businesses, locally-owned eateries, smaller retailers and specialty shops, alongside the larger companies that have a presence here, like Guitar Center. There is room for a lot of different types of businesses here, and that just adds to the richness and diversity that keeps the city so interesting. And, the music community continues to grow and thrive along with the city.
Rebecca Jasso
Retail Manager
Old Town School Music Store
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI retail store in Chicago?
Chicago is a huge city with all kinds of people, and the population and diversity alone mean
there are nearly 3 million potential customers in the city itself, not to mention 9 million in the metropolitan area. Our wonderful city sees a lot of tourism, and the Old Town School of Folk Music is a destination for folks coming into town. Chicago’s rich history combined with the fact that there’s just so much to do and see here attracts a lot of people to visit, and we’re lucky to be a stopping point in many people’s itinerary.
As an MI dealer, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
One major challenge is that the taxes are high in Chicago, and sales tax is 10.25%. So despite seeing a lot of tourists, it can be a challenge to close a sale on a decent instrument when taxes can add a significant amount to the total.
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music
performance, music education, and culture?
Chicago is an amazing city full of all those things. I think of Chicago as a place you can go out to hear any kind of music on any given night, where there is a place for any style of musician to play, and of course, it’s a vastly diverse city packed full of people from all sorts of backgrounds. It’s such a huge city with so much that it isn’t possible to nail down one vibe, at least the way I’m thinking of it, but I would say it’s an incredibly rich and vibrant music scene. However, Chicago is its liveliest in the warmer months, when you’ll find the biggest variety of music and cultural offerings to check out, including amazing street festivals happening throughout the city all summer long.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city
continuing to evolve?
Great question. The Old Town School has been around since 1957 and moved to our main
campus in Lincoln Square in 1998. When we first moved into Lincoln Square, the neighborhood was much more run-down with fewer families and a bit more crime. Over time, the city has gotten more and more expensive to live in, and many of the neighborhoods, particularly those surrounding the Old Town School, have changed quite a bit. They are safer places to live, but quite a bit less affordable. There are lots more families in the area, and, in addition to the School, a Brown Line “El” stop, great restaurants, and a regional library draw a lot of folks to visit the area.
Outside of our general area, there is a whole half of the city south of the Loop that has its own
culture. The Southside (where I grew up) is traditionally the blue-collar side of town, with much more affordable housing. I’ve already seen the Northside culture pushing south, if for no other reason than that the rent is historically cheaper as you head south. So I guess, as the city continues to evolve, I look forward to a time when there is not such a broad distinction between the two halves of the city, but instead a unity, affording opportunities for arts and culture no matter where you come from.
Abby Kaplan
Senior Director, Retail
Shure
What are some of the upsides to operating an MI business in Chicago?
Since our founding in 1925, Shure has benefited greatly from Chicago’s rich culture and heritage. The music business has grown and evolved here over the decades and we’re proud that our Chicago history intersects with the legacy of a number of other iconic businesses, artists, and leaders who have helped carve a special place for our city in the history of music and engineering.
We owe our legacy in part to the infrastructure this city continues to provide musicians and creative business visionaries. From rehearsal spaces like Music Garage to incubators like 2112, Chicago is a hive of activity. There is no shortage of educational opportunities for individuals interested in honing their craft – be it audio engineering, design, or the arts. This wealth of opportunity provides an ecosystem of innovation and artistry that acts as a compass for our company and our associates.
As an MI corporation, are there any challenges or downsides specific to the city?
In many ways the history of Shure and Chicago are reflections of one another. The Company’s authenticity is derived from the same challenges that have made Chicago a testament to resilience and camaraderie.
Since the earliest days of the Company, Mr. and Mrs. Shure recognized that many communities in Chicago were subject to tougher conditions and denied opportunities made accessible to others. They made it their life’s mission to take care of the city the same way it took care of them. Supporting charities throughout its existence, Shure has been giving back to Chicago communities in an effort to close the disparate gaps that have persisted for over a century through investments in humanitarian efforts, education, and the cultural institutions of the city.
How would you describe the overall “vibe” of Chicago when it comes to music, music performance, music education, and culture?
Chicago’s music cultural and heritage is a celebration of diversity and authenticity. Not only is our city home to some of the best music education programs in the country, but also a plethora of world class venues and DIY spaces that amplify the artistry of established and rising voices in our communities.
What truly separates Chicago is that everyone is bought in. Chicago residents won’t shy away from attending a show on a Monday night or supporting a local artist who makes music that pushes boundaries. This openness from the community leads to the creation and evolution of artistic exploration and creativity.
Shure is proud to be involved with these venues and outlets for artists, providing support that goes beyond the microphones and technology that amplifies the voices of our city’s creatives. Millennium Park, Shakespeare Theater, Lyric Opera, Chicago Art Institute, are a few of the local institutions that Shure has worked with over the years.
In your business’ time in the city, how has Chicago changed? How do you see the city continuing to evolve?
Chicago has been through a host of history altering events – the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 , the great depression, the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicago and its residents have always been up to the challenge. But despite Chicago’s resilience, the city is not immune to the winds of change.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Chicago was the center of the emerging electronics industry. Since Shure’s founding in 1925, Chicago has grown and evolved from its industrial roots into a hub of innovation across tech, manufacturing, food, travel, and communication. As a company that has witnessed and often played a key role in the evolution of our city, Shure recognizes our responsibility to help ensure a brighter future for our neighbors. Coming out of the pandemic, we can’t wait to engage with the city’s many neighborhood events and festivities. At block parties and at our headquarters – we are thrilled to make music together again.
While Chicago will undoubtedly change and evolve for the better in the coming years, it is the things that will stay the same that will drive us all forward. The sense of community. The accessibility of our neighborhoods. The openness to art and creativity. We look forward to being a part of our city’s future in the decades to come.
