Ellsworth closes 2 stores, opens another
Patrick Elowry moves boxes in the store's Shepherdstown location on Duke Street on Wednesday. (Chronicle photo by Tricia Fulks)
Cardboard boxes and stringed instrument cases flank the doorway of Ellsworth Music in Shepherdstown throughout this week. Owner Brian Ellsworth has been in and out of the store, packing boxes with Vice President Patrick Elowry.
The store, which has occupied its Duke Street location for about 11 years, is consolidating with the Charles Town store in a central location is Ranson’s Potomac Marketplace along Route 9, set to open next week.
“The shopping center presents a good balance between the two locations,” Ellsworth said.
But, Ellsworth Music will not completely give up a Shepherdstown presence. Ellsworth plans on occupying a small unit by CraftWorks in Shepherdstown for lessons only.
“The Shepherdstown location will be the hardest (to leave) because we have a following,” Ellsworth said. “We always intend to keep a presence in Shepherdstown.”
Patrick Elowry moves boxes in the store's Shepherdstown location on Duke Street on Wednesday. (Chronicle photo by Tricia Fulks)
“We’re not really deserting Shepherdstown,” Elowry said. “It’s just something we have to do for our sanity and well being.”
Noting that sometimes closing comes with the cost of doing business, Elowry said he thinks the new store will enrich the inventory “substantially” with a more diverse product mix in the long run.
The two stores will combine to a larger space at the shopping center along Route 9 in Ranson, according to Tammy Johnston, bookkeeper. She said the new location is larger with more parking, which is lit at night.
“It’s very exciting because there will be better parking – lots of parking – and a nice new store,” Johnston said.
Both Ellsworth and Johnston said the staff at both stores will join them at the new location, at 217-6 Oak Lee Drive, Ranson. The new location even boasts more room for music classes, not just individual lessons, Ellsworth said. Also, repairs were split between the Charles Town and Shepherdstown shops. At the new location, all repairs will take place in one store.
And with the school year about to begin, Ellsworth Music is looking at more students renting and purchasing instruments as well as what might be some inevitable repairs.
Monday, incoming 6th grade student Leigh Anne Freeman and her mother Elizabeth of Martinsburg visited the Shepherdstown location to rent a viola. Elizabeth said the new store’s location will be much more convenient for the family, though they enjoy visiting downtown Shepherdstown, since they live right over the county line in Martinsburg. She said the new store will be just about a five-minute drive away.
“I’m looking forward to being open,” Ellsworth said.
- Patrick Elowry moves boxes in the store’s Shepherdstown location on Duke Street on Wednesday. (Chronicle photo by Tricia Fulks)
Ellsworth closes 2 stores, opens another
Patrick Elowry moves boxes in the store's Shepherdstown location on Duke Street on Wednesday. (Chronicle photo by Tricia Fulks)
Cardboard boxes and stringed instrument cases flank the doorway of Ellsworth Music in Shepherdstown throughout this week. Owner Brian Ellsworth has been in and out of the store, packing boxes with Vice President Patrick Elowry.
The store, which has occupied its Duke Street location for about 11 years, is consolidating with the Charles Town store in a central location is Ranson’s Potomac Marketplace along Route 9, set to open next week.
“The shopping center presents a good balance between the two locations,” Ellsworth said.
But, Ellsworth Music will not completely give up a Shepherdstown presence. Ellsworth plans on occupying a small unit by CraftWorks in Shepherdstown for lessons only.
“The Shepherdstown location will be the hardest (to leave) because we have a following,” Ellsworth said. “We always intend to keep a presence in Shepherdstown.”
Patrick Elowry moves boxes in the store's Shepherdstown location on Duke Street on Wednesday. (Chronicle photo by Tricia Fulks)
“We’re not really deserting Shepherdstown,” Elowry said. “It’s just something we have to do for our sanity and well being.”
Noting that sometimes closing comes with the cost of doing business, Elowry said he thinks the new store will enrich the inventory “substantially” with a more diverse product mix in the long run.
The two stores will combine to a larger space at the shopping center along Route 9 in Ranson, according to Tammy Johnston, bookkeeper. She said the new location is larger with more parking, which is lit at night.
“It’s very exciting because there will be better parking – lots of parking – and a nice new store,” Johnston said.
Both Ellsworth and Johnston said the staff at both stores will join them at the new location, at 217-6 Oak Lee Drive, Ranson. The new location even boasts more room for music classes, not just individual lessons, Ellsworth said. Also, repairs were split between the Charles Town and Shepherdstown shops. At the new location, all repairs will take place in one store.
And with the school year about to begin, Ellsworth Music is looking at more students renting and purchasing instruments as well as what might be some inevitable repairs.
Monday, incoming 6th grade student Leigh Anne Freeman and her mother Elizabeth of Martinsburg visited the Shepherdstown location to rent a viola. Elizabeth said the new store’s location will be much more convenient for the family, though they enjoy visiting downtown Shepherdstown, since they live right over the county line in Martinsburg. She said the new store will be just about a five-minute drive away.
“I’m looking forward to being open,” Ellsworth said.
- Patrick Elowry moves boxes in the store’s Shepherdstown location on Duke Street on Wednesday. (Chronicle photo by Tricia Fulks)
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