The Fredericton community is mourning the loss of a Queen Street landmark that has inspired musicians and a shared love for the industry since 1975.
Tony’s Music Box has announced its closure after 50 years in business.
Michael George, owner of Tony’s Music Box, said the decision to close was difficult, and there is no single reason for why it needs to happen now.
“Economic times, competition, Amazon, the downtown vibe maybe isn’t the same as it used to be,” George said.
George announced the closure to his staff through tears just two days before it was made public.
“We’re all about community at this store, building relationships, and we’ve established that. It’s heartbreaking for me as I know it’s heartbreaking for our community, it’s heartbreaking for my employees.”
“We’re all family and losing out on that? It’s heartbreaking.”
For George, Tony’s Music Box wasn’t just a music store, but a legacy his late father, Tony George, who opened the store a half-century ago.
“I loved my Dad, we worked side by side for a lot of years and then his health went bad,” George said. “Carrying it on has been easy. It’s my love.”
George said he’s not sure what’s next for him. He’s still praying for a miracle to revive Tony’s Music Box before it’s gone.
“We just need our community to flock into this store everyday and keep us alive.”
Many people will remember the store for its iconic sign that added to the city’s downtown landscape and the music that would flow from the store out to the street.
Tony’s Music Box — treasured by amateurs, professionals and many in between — has been a storied staple of Fredericton’s downtown core and will close its doors after five decades of being in business.
But for someone, like songwriter David Myles, the store has held a lot more significance.
“It’s hard to overstate how connected my life has been with that store,” said Myles, who is now the member of Parliament for Fredericton–Oromocto.
It’s where Myles bought his first trumpet at 10 years old.
“I’ve been in that store hundreds and hundreds of times, it’s where I got my guitars fixed.”
Myles remembers the frequent occasions where Tony’s Music Box staff would be out on the street greeting customers, “shaking hands and waving to people.”
He said a lot of music stores can feel intimidating, but Tony’s has always been welcoming and undoubtably inspired people to pick up an instrument or start a career in music.
“In many ways, I don’t think people are going to realize what they had until it’s gone. It’s a very very special store”
Fredericton resident Blake Dauvin said he’s visited Tony’s Music Box often, and bought his first banjo there.
“I was really sad, it’s such a staple here,” Dauvin said. “Having a community store is awesome, it’s the best way to buy instruments and best place to play. So it’s super sad.”
Peter McLaggan said he bought his first guitar at Tony’s Music Box, before he knew how to play.
He said the store’s closure will leave a “huge” void in the community.
“I’m really going to miss it.”
For Dominick Ouellette, Tony’s Music Box has been a daily pit stop during his lunch break for the last six months.
“I work in a warehouse,” he said. “It’s nice to come somewhere I’m surrounded by really nice people, people who share a similar passion and just enjoy music.”
Ouellette said he was shocked to learn of the closure and will mourn the store and the people in it.
George said the store is marking down products to try and liquidate what stock is left over. He said the goal is to see the store empty by next month.
