Guitars, cash registers ring at Robb’s Music

BOULDER — For 25 years, amateur and professional musicians have been getting their wares from Robb’s Music Inc. Patrons of the 6,500-square-foot Boulder facility purchase new and used gear, get broken supplies repaired, buy repertoire and instruction books, rent instruments and equipment, and receive on-site music lessons.

In 2002, the 14-employee music shop had approximately $2 million in gross sales. 2001 revenues were nearly identical. However, Robb’s has had to make do with two fewer full-time employees than it had at the end of 2000. “We used to sell more high-end recording gear,” majority shareholder Robb Candler said. “We don’t sell as many expensive guitars and keyboards as we used to, but our last couple of months have been picking up.”

Candler should know the store’s history better than anyone else. He founded the business in 1978, after a stint playing and teaching guitar. Candler, who earned an undergraduate music degree at Michigan’s Oakland University, can play every instrument in his store at least well enough to demonstrate it to potential buyers. In fact, he acknowledged he doesn’t know how to do anything non-musical. (Though he was a military air traffic controller after high school.)

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His store’s first incarnation was a mere 390 square feet on Pearl Street. Robb’s moved at least four more times until securing its present location in 1991. Initially, Candler got a lease with an option to buy. Approximately 12 years ago, shareholder John Barker Dalton came on board. The two obtained a Small Business Administration loan to purchase the building in 1993.

Professional keyboardist Rich Johnson has been shopping at each location in the store’s 25-year history. He chooses Robb’s because of a commitment to locally owned businesses, and due to a positive professional relationship with Candler.

“He does a lot for the community,” Johnson said. “He’s always lending out equipment for different causes. He tries to match prices with all the big people.”

Customer Chris Schimel agreed. “We’re a church, so we have a variety of needs in terms of sound and musical equipment. He gives good deals to churches.”

Candler explained that his shop offers all sorts of musical merchandise and a variety of services. Products include acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, drums, violins, brass and woodwind instruments, as well as a plethora of sound equipment.

“It would appear that we are the only electronic repair people around here at all,” Candler said. He added that Robb’s is the only full-line, generalist music store in town.

However, Robb’s is not the oldest music store in Boulder. H.B. Woodsong’s Inc. started as Folk Art Music in Boulder in 1970. Though Woodsong’s also sells song and instruction books, offers on-site lessons and rents as well as sells band and orchestra instruments, its staff often refers customers to Robb’s for keyboards and some electric guitars.

“I think we’ve complemented each other well enough,” owner Dana Flitcraft said. “We’re primarily acoustic instruments. We carry different things.”

Candler said he might eventually sell his company and try something else in the music field, if someone offers him at least $2 million. “Every business is for sale, if the price is right,” Candler said. Then, he added, “But I’m happy working here, and it’s a fun business.”

Contact Sheryl Bass at (303) 440-4950 or e-mail research@bcbr.com.