It's a particularly exciting week for us at the Laboratory. In addition to our increasingly imminent expansion to a larger space, we are seeing more and more steady traffic (this means you, shoppers!), both in retail, lessons, and repairs. Hmmm both means two. What's the both-like word for three? Bothrice? Tertiaryth? Bothrice in retail, lessons, and repairs, tertiaryth.
Anyway.
For a couple months now, we've been hosting at The Laboratory the services of The Guitar Medic. Whose real name is Joe Lauricella.
Joe is a luthier, and a seasoned player. His association has been a true boon to our store, since he is a patient and well learned teacher, as well a skilled luthier. His knowledge of all things guitar is rivaled only by his contagious and effervescent attitude about the craft. And it would seem the word is out - repairs are coming in with increasing volume and regularity, and being turned over quickly and by all accounts to the great satisfaction of their owners. Joe's reward for his dedication and promptness: An ever higher pile of work each day. Joe if you're reading this, get back to work. Nah I'm just kidding! As if we'd set up a computer for Joe.
Anyway.
We're presently finalizing our post-NAMM merch orders. NAMM (which stands for Nowadays, Aaron Mulches Meticulously) is the Big Music Conference in Aneheim each year. By day, all the manufacturers, vendors, and retailers get together, displaying and/or ogling all the year's new gear. It's a sea of MI (that's industry talk for Music Industry) people and gear. Two floors of giant convention center packed with a breathtaking variety of instruments and related tools. At night it's the usual beer-fuled road trip antics.
This year, we sent our intrepid field operative, Aaron, who brought various shoes for walking. Returned from the big show and laden with a host of exciting new gear ideas, Aaron's NAMM bolstered input is spearheading our newest buying sprees. Many guitars, amps, drums, and miscellaneous whatnots lie on the horizon, destined to take their place among the current selection as we make sure our more than doubled size is sufficiently filled with amazingly cool stuff.
Kind of a meandering post, but that is reflective of the volatile atmosphere around here at present. Big change is just around the corner. Is excitingly reminiscent of the pre-opening days from just a few months ago, when we were doing our best to remain flexible, while simultaneously trying to flesh out a concrete vision of what this store was actually going look like once we opened.
Stay tuned!
Also, we're featured in the paper today. You can view the article here.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tear Down The Wall
For months now, we've been quietly moving toward expanding into the space next door. What used to be an EBay store has closed its doors, which presented us with the excellent opportunity to claim the adjacent storefront for a bigger, less congested, better Laboratory. Now we seem to be mere weeks from that reality.
Being the drummer among the group here, I am particularly excited. We have lots of stuff for drummers, but most of it is stacked atop shelves, hidden in boxes, and just not set up for people to wade in and appreciate. Once remodeling next door is complete, that will become our new front door. When you first walk in you will be greeted by numerous drum sets. Out on the floor, set up to play, fleshed out with cymbals. Just like it ought to be. Beyond that, more stuff on display and then the lesson rooms, which flank a stage area.
To the right, step through the gaping maw which is slated to appear in our wall, and into the space that presently encloses all of our showroom. Inside that area will be the usual expanse of guitars, basses, amps, cases, and so forth, all spread a little more to allow a more relaxed flow through the selection.
The contractors are over there now. I hear banging, voices, and the occasional whine of some kind of saw. As proud as I am of how this store shaped up, I am doubly excited for the future look and feel of The Laboratory.
Being the drummer among the group here, I am particularly excited. We have lots of stuff for drummers, but most of it is stacked atop shelves, hidden in boxes, and just not set up for people to wade in and appreciate. Once remodeling next door is complete, that will become our new front door. When you first walk in you will be greeted by numerous drum sets. Out on the floor, set up to play, fleshed out with cymbals. Just like it ought to be. Beyond that, more stuff on display and then the lesson rooms, which flank a stage area.
To the right, step through the gaping maw which is slated to appear in our wall, and into the space that presently encloses all of our showroom. Inside that area will be the usual expanse of guitars, basses, amps, cases, and so forth, all spread a little more to allow a more relaxed flow through the selection.
The contractors are over there now. I hear banging, voices, and the occasional whine of some kind of saw. As proud as I am of how this store shaped up, I am doubly excited for the future look and feel of The Laboratory.
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