03/06/2020
A long time ago, in what seemed like another lifetime, I worked in a factory. The pay was good, but it was the most soul numbing job I have ever held. It made me take a look at my life and decide there must be something better. I dreamed of being my own boss, answering to no one, and doing things my way. It started slow and I took small steps towards my goal. In 2008, I bought an apartment building and started working on renovations. There were so many things that needed to be done to get a business off the ground and so many things that I did not know and had to learn. In 2010 I was able to quit my factory job and Root Notes opened the doors. I was splitting time between doing recordings for a local label, recording demos for local bands, and putting on all ages shows. Eventually things grew to include the store which started with only guitar strings, a few random instruments, and some cables. I have a little experience in the retail world, but soon discovered there were so many things that took more work than I realized to keep going. Facing burnout, I quit doing recordings and slowly started to have fewer and fewer shows. In early 2015, I decided to branch into records and compact discs. This opened up a huge customer base that has kept the place going since then. For the past three years or so, I have had a new dream, and have been quietly taking steps to achieve that dream. One of the major pieces fell into place in 2019 and now there is no turning back. I’m ready to move forward and hope you can understand. What this means is that Root Notes will be closing in early May 2020. That is, unless someone reading this is interested in buying the building/business and taking things over. If there are no takers, I will begin liquidating stock in late April and the building will be listed for sale. I invite anyone who is seriously interested in such an endeavor to stop in and talk with me. It has been a very rewarding and fulfilling time here and I have forged some great friendships along the way, but it is time for the next chapter. Thank you to all the friends, family, and customers that have helped me make Root Notes the place it is today. There is absolutely no way I could have done it without you and I am grateful beyond words. Thank you. Keep on rocking in the free world.
