After 6 decades, Steve's Music to close most locations in Ontario, Quebec
A beloved music store institution is shutting down, leaving many music lovers in Ontario and Quebec with a bittersweet feeling.
For decades, Steve's Music has been a staple in the Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal music scenes, offering a wide range of musical instruments and gear. However, the company has announced plans to downsize and focus on online commerce, which will result in the closure of most of its physical stores.
A surprising turn of events
On Saturday, the chain announced it was liquidating inventory at all five of its locations, leaving many customers shocked and saddened. The Ottawa manager, Dan Sauvé, who has worked for Steve's Music for over 25 years, said he was at peace with the decision, as the company had been seeing the writing on the wall for some time.
A flood of customers
After the news broke, customers like percussionist Jon Granda flocked to the Ottawa outlet on Sunday. Granda expressed his disappointment, noting that there aren't many music store options near downtown. Frédéric Laforge, a regular customer, also visited the Catherine Street store, looking for an electric guitar. He expressed his concern about the closures, saying that the world of artists is already difficult and that the closures will remove more support for them.
A shift to online retail
The company has decided to focus on online retail to keep up with the evolving marketplace. Sauvé explained that the company has the expertise to pivot and adapt to changing conditions, and that the days of physical stores being the norm are long gone.
A bittersweet goodbye
While the closures are bittersweet, many customers will miss the experience of browsing and trying out instruments in person. Sauvé said there's no set closing date for the Ottawa location, and Granda expressed his hope that nothing can beat a brick-and-mortar music store. The company's decision to focus on online commerce is a controversial one, and many customers are left wondering about the future of music stores in the digital age.
What do you think?
Do you agree with Steve's Music's decision to focus on online commerce? Or do you think that physical stores are still essential for the music industry? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
