As Jon Hasz prepares to move Ramona Music Center to a new location, down the road at 555 Main St., he said he is looking forward to the change.
The new center will open Feb.15. The current location, at 1045 Main St., will shut its doors the same day.
“We won’t be closed at any point,” said Hasz, the owner.
The move was kickstarted Jan. 18 with a big parking lot sale at the store.
“We are emptying our storage units and clearing out some of our long-term projects, and will be offering a range of things for a steal,” Hasz said.
Sale items included vintage and project guitars, all kinds of speakers, hardware for drums and electronics, and music stands and cases.
In addition to the parking lot sale, specials will be held in the shop until opening day, Hasz said.
For more than 17 years, the Ramona Music Center has supplied beginning and experienced musicians with instruments, sheet music, instructors, a recording studio and a wealth of knowledge across the industry.
Hasz purchased the business in 1998 from Jim Nau, owner of Blue Horse Music.
Hasz said an investment company purchased the property at the current location, which includes both the music center building and a house, from the owner. He said he believes both buildings will be renovated for future resale.
The location of the new center was previously occupied by Anthony Woods, a chiropractor, who is moving to another spot in town.
“The building is smaller than our current location, but the ceilings are taller, so we have some new opportunities,” Hasz said. “It’s daunting but exciting to come up with a new plan. Even though it’s smaller, it feels bigger.”
He said customers can expect the same quality of service at the new location.
“Nothing should change as far as what we do. We’ll still be doing lessons, offering retail, rentals and repairs, and we will still have our After Hours recording studio up and running,” he said.
The center sells a wide variety of instruments, including guitars, full drum sets, flutes, clarinets, trumpets, keyboards, electronics and a full range of accessories.
“If we don’t have it, just ask,” he said.
Although the center rents instruments for elementary and middle school, such as flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones and percussion kits, Hasz said they also rent guitars.
They also offer repairs on everything from “100-year-old vintage and collectible instruments to kids’ first guitars” and do maintenance on band instruments.
Music lessons will also continue to be held at the store.
“We have several teachers and we cover everything from drums and piano to guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, violin, cello and ukulele,” Hasz said.
Instructors include Joey Carano, beginning to advanced guitar and jazz; Jake Foster, guitar and ukulele; Bill Jones, guitar, ukulele and piano; Dove Linkhorn, drums and piano; Nate Soule, saxophone, guitar, bass and beginning piano; and Sharon Whyte, piano.
The center also offers voice lessons, although Hasz notes there is a wait list.
When the retail store closes for the day, After Hours Recording Studio is often busy; the studio has worked with hundreds of artists all over the county, Hasz said.
He and his wife, Cathryn Curry Hasz, who form the musical duo The Beard and The Bird, regularly perform on both the West and East coasts. They specialize in 1920s Western swing, but perform songs in every style, from modern pop folk to outlaw country.
In addition, Jon Hasz is the founder, with Ashley E. Norton, of the Ramona Music Alliance.
Although he said no special activities are planned for the store’s opening in February, a grand opening is planned for April, to coincide with their yearly anniversary party.
He and Todd Allen, part owner of the shop, will continue to work at the business, splitting the weekly hours evenly between the two.
Ramona Music Center is open Mondays through Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 760-789-3154 or visit their social media sites.
