Is Music & Arts Owned by Guitar Center?
Music & Arts is a chain of retail stores in the United States that specializes in selling musical instruments, including guitars, keyboards, and pianos. It also offers sheet music, repairs, and private lessons. Established in 1952, Music & Arts has grown to become one of the largest school music dealers in the country. It is a subsidiary of Guitar Center.
Petrie Richardson Ventures
The Guitar Center is the world’s largest music instrument retailer. It has signed a lease to occupy 14,500 square feet of space in the Ellsworth Place Mall in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. The mall, which is part of the Petrie Richardson Ventures portfolio, recently underwent a $75 million renovation and overhaul of its tenant mix. It now includes Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, Michaels, T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Dave & Buster’s. Guitar Center is one of the last tenants to sign on.
The Guitar Center is part of a larger business plan that includes a music retail center in New York. The company has also signed leases in Chicago, Dallas, and Denver.
Jeff Gottlieb
Jeff Gottlieb is the president of the Music & Arts unit at Guitar Center, a specialty retailer of instruments for band and orchestra. He is responsible for all aspects of the company’s business, which includes 200 retail stores, 120 educational representatives, and 300 affiliate locations. Jeff has extensive experience leading companies through growth initiatives and complex retail operations.
Before joining Guitar Center, Gottlieb held executive positions at Banana Republic, Sur La Table, and Jockey International. He is an avid guitar player and has an interest in promoting music education. His background in business and music has implications for the growth of the Music & Arts division, which includes Guitar Center.
Jeff Priebe
In a recent announcement, Guitar Center announced that Jeff Gottlieb will be the new president of its Music & Arts unit. He will be reporting directly to Guitar Center CEO Ron Japinga and will be based in its Maryland headquarters. The Music & Arts unit serves a wide range of consumers including parents, teachers, and college professors.
The company recently completed a $1 billion debt refinancing and upgraded its credit rating to “CCC+.” However, the company is still facing financial concerns, and its turnaround strategy may depend on how well it can implement new plans to increase sales and profits. This includes expanding into higher-margin services and focusing on expanding its Music & Arts business, which sells equipment to orchestras and bands.
Ken Stanton Music
Ken Stanton Music & Arts is a leader in the Atlanta band and orchestra music market and part of the Guitar Center family of brands. The company’s mission is to help students and musicians pursue their musical passions. The company focuses on guitars, drums, and pro audio. It has locations in Marietta, Alpharetta, West Cobb, and Stone Mountain. It employs three dedicated educational representatives who have developed close relationships with area band directors.
The company’s history dates back to 1933. The original store was located in a barbershop and was only 11 1/2 feet wide by 30 feet long. It was located on Cobb Parkway in Atlanta, and its founder was a local musician. His band toured with The Guess Who and Chubby Checker. The music store was also home to the Atlanta Rhythm Section.