Morganroth closing store in Great Falls JO DEE BLACK Tribune Business Editor • February 25, 2010
Morganroth Music Center in Times Square at 525 Central Ave. in Great Falls will close Saturday.
"This is a decision we've been tossing around for six months and analyzing," said Gary Bowman of Morganroth. "It's something we didn't want to do and held off as long as we could."
Morganroth Music Center opened its second Montana location in Times Square in August 2007. The business still has a store in Missoula that will continue to operate, as well as a Web site.
"We had no idea when we (opened in Great Falls) that the economy would tank like this," Bowman said. "And with the cost of business increasing, it was a decision we needed to make."
The Morganroth store in Great Falls had two employees. In addition to music instruments, supplies and parts, and printed music, the business has an instrument rental program for students.
"We may continue that in some capacity in Great Falls, but that's all I can say at this time," Bowman said. "We've let all of our rental customers know how to make returns or get repairs."
"It's heartbreaking to see a local music store go out of business," said Ed Varner, director of music for Great Falls Public Schools. "It was centrally located for all of our schools. It's a place you could run into to get reeds or a string before a concert."
However, Varner said there are other in-town options available for students who want to rent an instrument.
"It is such a beautiful store," Varner said. "I think it's just the economic pinch that is hitting a lot of places."
