17/09/2026
"My name is Gary and I own The Music Box here in Dunfermline
I've been open a year now almost, it started with me being made redundant 3 years ago, which saw me jumping from job to job, I could never settle and last March, I got paid off from the job I was in and I thought "I can't go months getting knockback after knockback" because it's soul destroying and this wee voice was telling me to open "my shop". I had always dreamed of having my own place, me running things, doing something I really love.
I'd been in sales before, worked retail at Asda for nearly 20 years, which helps of course. I began looking for a shop and Dunfermline seemed like the right place to open, even though I'm off the high street, I've got a sign along the road letting folk know I'm here. This place was a shell when I got it, my landlord put the lights in and helped get it up to scratch. Then it was up to me to fill it.
It was a hobby for much of my life, music and vinyl. My dad was a musician, he was a self taught country and folk singer, all his brothers and sisters were musical, big family, 9 siblings in total. It missed a generation I think! My son plays guitar so it missed me and got him! Definitely a musical family and that's been all my days. I'd go with my dad to pubs to watch him play, carrying his amplifier and that. He also had vinyl which was mostly old country stuff and I still listen to that sort of stuff now.
Around 2018, I was collecting cds and I'd buy in bulk from eBay or at auctions, I'd take what I wanted and sell the others on, the ones that I didn't think would sell wen6 to the car boots, my daughter was doing craft stuff at home so she would come and we'd sell our stuff at these car boots which did wonders for her confidence back then. I would start selling the vinyl and folk would love seeing old records waiting for new homes.
I'm from Lochgelly, but the community here in Dunfermline is great. Most folk will come in just for a nose around, most folk stay for a chat about music and sometimes they'll buy something, sometimes they don't. Some feel obligated to buy something whether it's a mug or a poster or that, especially if they've not got a record player. There's a lot of good independent businesses here and it's thriving.
For me it's satisfaction, I'm happy here. I remember my pal saying to me "you're no one of those guys who go to work with a smile on your face are you" and I said "I am"
I'm here an hour before I actually open, no so much at night but for the last year it's been my life, I'm happy. I get to meet people. Some days its disheartening because it's a bit quieter than other days but as my daughter says "you've got to take the full month, no just one day"
Please get along to see Gary, I could have looked around for ages, alternatively you can share his story. Thank you
I'm able to share these stories thanks to my pals at East Fife Garage Services
