A new business started playing a different tune last Friday in Atlanta, Texas, as the Country Music Store opened its doors to meet the needs of musicians and music lovers in the area.
"We are here to offer a wide range of instruments and musical equipment and other supplies for area musicians and music lovers," store owner Ed Strange said. "If you are a musician, a music leader with your church, whatever, we can help."
The Country Music Store specializes in stringed instruments, with guitars, banjos, violins, dulcimers, ukuleles and others on display. They also have amplifiers, microphones of all sorts, sound systems and more for the well-equipped musical act.
"You want to play music, we have the tools," Strange said.
The Friday opening went well, Strange said, with a ribbon-cutting and other fanfare.
"We got to meet new people and welcome some new customers, and we got to see some old friends, customers who followed us from Texarkana," Strange said.
The store was started in Texarkana by Strange's father. After a stint in the Air Force, the current owner settled in Atlanta and eventually took over the business. And at a certain point, since he lived in Atlanta, he decided it would be more cost-effective to move the business there.
"It's cheaper to operate a business in Atlanta," Strange said. "I live here, so I'm saved the commute. We have a quiet community here, safe; it is a good place to live and work."
Strange has a musical background and has played in bands in the past. Nowadays, not so much, but he does sometimes pick up an instrument.
"I jam with some fellow musicians every now and then," he said.
When it comes to the success of the Country Music Store, he describes the ingredients as knowledge and personal service.
"The biggest thing small stores have to worry about is the double threat posed by the big box retailers as well as the internet," he said. "We offer the personal service the big stores don't, and we have merchandise the customer can put their hands on, unlike online.
"We are there to answer questions and ensure you get what you need."
Strange even guarantees that if a customer brings in an offer shown online, he will match it.
"We want you to come back, so that's one way we will establish that relationship," he said. "We thank all our old customers and we appreciate everyone who stops by the new store."
The Country Music Store is locates at 2814 W. Main St., Atlanta, Texas. Call them at 903-799-7455 or visit them on Facebook.