To all of our friends and Family,
It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you Northstar Music Center has closed its doors for the final time.
I want all of you to know how much you have meant to us. You have all become part of our Northstar Family, and we will miss you all more than you can know.
To all of our Students, present and past, and their families.
I want you to know how proud I am of ALL of you. You have been the heart of our shop. When I took over Northstar in 2003, I had absolutely no idea that you would become the most important and rewarding part of our journey. I cannot express how much joy and pride you have brought into my life. Being able to see and help you learn music, in all of its forms, has been one of the greatest experiences I have ever had the pleasure to be involved in, for my small part. Thank you for letting us be part of your lives. It has been a pleasure, and an honor to have had you with us. I hope with all my heart that you will all continue your musical journeys.
I want to thank all of our instructors, technicians, and staff, who have become my closest friends. The wonderful folks who have shared their knowledge with us. Roger Ebacher, Wayne Pronzatti, Jeff Heminway, Tami Little, AJ Pappas, Eric Giribaldi, Sean Guaraldi, Brian MacKinnon, Jake Smith, and we can’t forget Dennis Wilson, Joe Holaday, and Dave Perkins. The great technicians who kept our gear up and running. Brian Ross, Tom Salafia, and Ron Ronsivalli. Brian Lundgren and Aaron Cullen who have helped take care of the shop. Extra special mention and love to Diane Hatfield, who helped us all keep things straight, and watched over us all with a smile. I will truly miss the time we have all spent together, you have become my best friends, and I wish you all the best.
To the love of my life, and the brains behind Northstar. My best friend, my only girl, my lovely wife Kathleen, who was crazy enough to ask if I wanted to buy a music store. Thank you for encouraging and supporting me to chase a dream I never knew I had. Without you, none of this would have ever happened. Though it has ended, and not the way we had hoped, it has been the greatest of adventures, and I’ve loved nearly every minute of it…the great times…and the not so great. Thank you with all of my heart.
Last, but not least. There is a furry, four legged tail-wagger, our Manager of All Things on the Floor, Brody. This past week, as he watched us take apart our world, he knew something was terribly wrong. He has been a Music Store Dog since he was 7 weeks old. His entire life has revolved around you, all of our students and friends. He loved coming to work. I know he will miss you all just as much as we will. If you see us out and about, please come say hello. I know we will both be very happy to see you.
We will be keeping NorthstarMusicCenter.com, and our Northstar Music Center Facebook Page up and running to offer any assistance we can for our local musical community. Please continue to send us links for any of your local upcoming gigs and events. We will continue to share them with you all.
Though we have to say goodbye to Northstar, please continue to shop your local independent music shops whenever possible. We will all need them.
Again, thank you all. We have truly appreciated having you all in our Northstar Music Center Family. You have been our blessing. We wish you all the best. Rock on!
Peace, Love, Music!
Bill Melanson, General Manager
Northstar Music Center