If there’s a positive to be found in the isolation caused by COVID-19, it’s the fact that many people have used the time alone to channel their productivity into personal passions. For some, that has meant picking up a musical instrument for the first time or rekindling their love for playing. That’s had a huge impact on Case’s Music, a popular local music store which is now in expansion mode despite the ongoing pandemic.
“We’ve seen in the last couple years a really big push for shopping local and supporting local business,” said Jacob Rendell, who co-owns Case’s Music with partner Carrie Suriano. “Our retail sales have grown as a result. We’re at the point where we kind of have to go through the expansion so we are able to serve everyone.”
Music education has always been a big part of the business, with lessons accounting for nearly 70 percent of revenues generated at Case’s Music. However, Rendell says the current renovation plan calls for the removal of the huge front display, which will open up approximately 600 square feet to accommodate the newly enhanced retail space being planned at Case’s.
“We’re doubling the size of the retail space and looking to bring in new brands and products missing from what was being carried or that aren’t generally available in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Rendell.
To help ensure the retail plan is catering to the wants and needs of potential customers, Case’s Music launched an on-line survey February 1st soliciting the opinions of local consumers to see what products they would like to see on the shelves. As the area’s last locally owned and operated music store, it’s important to engage the public according to Rendell.
“We want to find out what they’re buying and what they’re hoping to buy, and what they’d like to see more of in Sault Ste. Marie,” he said. “So rather than me saying it’s time to expand into pro audio or recording equipment, we’re hoping to get as many people to do the survey and let them decide. They know what they want to buy more than we do.”
According to Suriano, the expansion provides a perfect opportunity to offer Case’s loyal customer base a complete menu of products and services.
“One of things we really want to do with the survey and expansion is to really focus on being a one stop shop for everything you need,” said Suriano, who took ownership of the store from original owner Mike Case in 2010 and merged with Rendell’s business in 2017. “We want have everything you need to be a musician available to you. You can purchase an instrument and book your lessons. You can buy strings, books, cables, drums, sticks, a piano or brass. Future expansion might mean recording, or the start of group lessons and bands. That’s what we’re going for.”
Case’s Music currently employs a staff of 14 teachers that offer lessons to students of all ages. In a perfect world where supply chains remain open and work can be completed, Rendell says he hopes to see the expansion completed by late June or early July. In the meantime, the store will continue to serve the community.
“We’ve got a lot of really great customers,” said Rendell. “A lot of them have been with us for 10 or 12 years. We’ve watched a lot of our students grow up, go to university, then come back and start teaching. They become like family.”
To learn more, visit Case’s Music online.