Broad Street Guitars
Shane West, owner owner and CEO of Broad Street Guitars answers the questions for today’s Small Business Snapshot.
What is the primary purpose of your business? Broad Street Guitars sells “step up” to high end string instruments and accessories. While focused on guitars, we also sell a variety of instruments including ukulele, mandolin, banjo and other variations of these instruments such as the guitalele, baritone guitar, piccolo guitar & more. Broad Street Guitars is an authorized dealer for several iconic brands including Martin Guitars, Guild Guitars, Cordoba Nylon string instruments and others, new and used.
What is the business background of the owners? I began teaching guitar in high school as my afterschool job. I started working and teaching guitar for Stephens’ Music Company in Calhoun in 1996. My wife Misty and I bought Stephens’ Music Company in 2006 and opened SMC Music in Rome in 2010.
Why did you start (or purchase) this particular business? We decided to open Broad Street Guitars while looking for a larger space for SMC Music after looking at the 338 Braod Street space. Giving the higher end instrumentsa boutique setting was the idea, along with bringing accessories and guitar-themed gift items to downtown where many local musicians regularly perform.
What makes your business unique? Broad Street Guitars offers a boutique retail experience. Form the enthusiastic beginner to the season professional, we hope to serve the musician who wants to purchase quality products and services in an upscale environment.
What do you enjoy most about your chosen profession? Helping people find an instrument that inspires them.
What has been the biggest or most interesting challenge to overcome as a small business owner? Their perception that our stores, because we are locally owned and operated, cannot be competitive with online and big box stores. We compete with the prices but go far beyond in service and convenience.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? WE hope to see you soon. We think you will enjoy your new guitar shop in beautiful downtown Rome.