Georgia music enterprise closes after 79 years in enterprise

ATHENS, Georgia (AP) – When Chick Music opened its doors on December 15th at 11 a.m., customers were already waiting to take advantage of the discounted prices and have friendly conversations with the staff.

If you missed the “Retirement Sale” signs in the shop window, it might look like a typical Christmas afternoon shopping in Athens.

It was the last day of business for Chick Music, a family-owned musical instrument store that opened in 1942 in a shop on College Avenue where Lewis Chick tuned pianos in the basement. After Billy Shepherd joined the workforce in 1947, they bought the business in 1963 and moved to 240 W. Clayton St. four years later.

As the second generation of Shepherds to run Chick Music, Steve, Van and Christy have spent decades treating the store’s customers like part of the family and their retirement is hard earned and well deserved. On the day off, Steve was busy fixing a violin that was brought in for service; Christy was in the register; and Van paced from the sales floor to the front counter.

“This place is part of Athens’ musical history, but it’s the people who got through here,” said Van. “We thank everyone who came by today.”

One of the customers paying tribute to Chick Music was Ken Richardson of Athens hip-hop legends Lo Down and Duddy, whose plaque is set on the sidewalk on the Athens Music Walk of Fame just outside the store. Richardson brought pizza for the Little Italy donated staff and shared his long hours in the keyboard room in the early 1990s.

“It’s bittersweet for me to be here today,” said Richardson. “I learned to make beats on the Alesis SR16 drum machine sold here, and no one has ever bothered me or asked me to leave. When I got my first income tax return, I came in and bought it. “

Although the walls that used to be lined with guitars and band instruments were mostly bare, there were still plenty of accessories such as drum heads, microphone stands and various cables for browsing, as well as several music books in the back room.

Staff member Braxton Thompson, who has worked at Chick Music for more than a decade, said the Shepherds and their staff would likely say their tearful goodbyes when the store closed and they started clearing the shelves and counters. When asked what he would do next, Thompson said he plans to teach music and play gigs in the New Year.

In the family spirit the shepherds had learned from their mother and father, Van said that he and his brothers and sisters would not be completely outside for the next few weeks.

“Just knock on the window if you need anything,” said Van.