Drive city forward

A BUZZING bastion of the Cairns music community is moving up a fret to new custom-built digs at Earlville.

Buzz Music has been a leader in musical instrument sales for more than 30 years and moved into its current Parramatta Park home in 1992.

But nothing lasts forever, and owners Kirk and Leanne Harmer – who took over the business three years ago – are upsizing to new premises beside Stockland Cairns Shopping Centre at 467 Mulgrave Rd.

Mr Harmer worked for Buzz last time it moved, and said he still woke up with cold sweats thinking about how much work that was.

“With the current store, you walk into the ground floor and all our accessories are there,” he said.

“We’re constantly asked if we sell instruments, because you have to go up a flight of stairs to see them.

“We’ve laid out the new store so all the cool stuff will be right in your face as soon as you come in the doors.”

The grand opening on Saturday, March 9 will have live performances, recording workshops and an open day for prospective students wanting to meet the teachers for the Buzz Music School.

“The new shop has a stage built in and we will fully kit it out,” Mrs Harmer said.

“We’ve run out of space with the current store and car parks, and we have a couple of disabled customers that can’t really shop with us currently.

“The new site has 12 dedicated car parks, a full disabled access lift and toilets.

“We just want it to be a cool place for people to come in.”