Mossman Music, 40 E. Main St. in Norwalk, has been in business for over 40 years.
Don Mossman, owner of Mossman Music, said the music store has been a part of downtown Norwalk since May 1978.
“Our store in Willard was sold, so we started looking for other locations,” Mossman said. “We found a store in Norwalk that was getting out of the music business, and it was a good fit.”
Mossman Music offers musical instruments for sale, such as banjos, bass guitars, electric guitars, drums, amplifiers, Hammond organs, violins, acoustic guitars, guitar strings, drum sticks and more.
“We also have rentals, repairs, lessons and appraisals” Mossman said. “We rent stage equipment to travelling stars who are booked at theaters that don’t fly in with their own equipment.”
Mossman said since he was a youngster he always has loved music.
“I was able to buy my first guitar with the money that I had saved from my newspaper route,” he said. “Who wouldn’t be drawn to music?
“I’m happy to be working in this environment as opposed to some of my other past jobs. This is something that I love.
“Serving the community is a big part of everything.”
Mossman said that he stays on top of the new trends in musical instruments by reading the trade journals.
“We are all active performers, and we talk to the kids about what they are enjoying,” he said.
Online sales have had an impact on Mossman Music, Mossman said.
“Online sales have hurt all independent retailers,” he said. “We now sell a bit of our inventory online, which helps to fight back by reaching a wider audience, but it will never be the same as independent retail.
“I would not advise my kids to get into it.”
Mossman said if Mossman Music expands, it will be online sales.
“We had a store in Tiffin for 20 years, but the market now would not support that kind of expansion,” he said.
Mossman Music is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call 419-668-1010.