Veteran city music store changes key
After more than 30 years trading in the CBD, a popular music store has downsized to a specialty string instrument business.
Harrison Music on Grenfell Street has rebranded as Harrison Music Violin and Orchestral Strings and now specialises in selling and repairing stringed instruments, bows and accessories.
Established in 1989 and most recently located at 68 Grenfell Street, Harrison Music was known for its large sheet music collection and also sold instruments.
The music shop sold guitars, fretted instruments, an extensive range of new and second-hand sheet music, brass and woodwind, orchestral strings, PA and audio equipment, electronic and acoustic drums and percussion instruments.
Harrison Music Violin and Orchestral Strings said in a post online that it now shares a space at Consortium Music on level 3 in the Myer Centre.
“After many decades servicing Adelaide’s broader music community, Harrison’s Music has now downsized to be a small violin/orchestral strings specialist only,” the website said.
“Thank you for your support of our original business over the last 30 years.
You might like
“Our small but dedicated family team will continue to offer advice and recommendations based on our extensive experience – talk to us and let us help you choose the best orchestral string instrument, accessories or string repair service for you and your unique situation!”
Harrison Music’s former home at 68 Grenfell Street is now vacant. Photo: Charlie Gilchrist/InDaily
Harrison Music Violin and Orchestral Strings proprietor Graeme Harrison said he originally intended to sell the business, but that six months ago he decided to downsize instead.
“It became obvious that people either had lots of money and no time or inclination to be involved in the business, or they had time and inclination to be involved, but not any money,” he said.
“With the end of the lease coming up and me being a couple of years away from retirement and knowing that it was a huge undertaking, I decided maybe six months ago that we needed to do it.
“We began that process six months ago and wound it down to the point where my son Christopher and myself now specialise in what is really our passion, which is violin making and repairing.”
Stay informed, daily
Harrison said he approached Consortium Music, whose services they had used in the past, to see if that business would add “another string to their bow” and cover orchestral strings.
“Now it’s like another trade in their business. We’re still Harrison Music. We’re still an independent business, but they made a space available for us and we’ve set up shop within their premises,” he said.
Harrison Music Violin and Orchestral Strings is now located in Consortium Music, on Level 3 of the Myer Centre. Photo: Charlie Gilchrist/InDaily
Harrison said he sold most of his stock at attractive prices before relocating, with some remainder donated to charity.
The new sheet music was sold to Consortium Music, where Harrison Music Violin and Orchestral Strings is now located, while the second-hand sheet music was sold to Page & Turner Bookshop on level two of the Myer Centre.
Harrison said that since downsizing it has become apparent that people have less disposable income to spend at the store.
“It’s much quieter than it has been and it would have been tough even if we’d continued in the full-scale business,” said Harrison.
“It’s definitely difficult times for retail generally, but we’re hoping with the repairs and the making, which is a longer-term investment, that will keep us going and at least we can enjoy what we’re doing in the meantime.
“A lot of people are probably wondering what’s happened because the business has been a big part of people’s lives for a very long time. The sign that we’d hung in our door in the past month was a quote from Dr. Seuss, which is: ‘Don’t be sad because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
