Year in Review:
Love of music keeps business in town
Compiled by Kathy McCarty and Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writers
PRESQUE ISLE — Staff at Aroostook Music weren’t sure what the future would hold for them — let alone customers from across the County — when the owners of Northern Kingdom Music, headquartered in Rockport, chose to close its northern-most branch in April, citing a declining economy as the reason for the closure.
But after considering their options, they decided the need remained in Aroostook for a full-service music store and, despite the uncertainty of the current economy, they decided to give it a go. And thus was born KMH Music, Inc., under the ownership of Chris Morton, joined by Randy King and Larry Hall.
The trio — with help from friends Tessa Lynne and Jon McQuarrie, of Houlton, Derek Smith of Presque Isle and others — remodeled the former store site at 412 Main Street, rebuilding walls, replacing the carpeting, slapping a jazzy blue paint on the walls and creating a separate room for music lessons.
The new establishment, named for the longtime friends (KMH stands for King, Morton and Hall), officially opened in August 2012. From guitars to banjos, flutes, clarinets and trumpets, to harmonicas, drums and keyboards, the store is stocked with a wide array of instruments and brand names suitable for any band, be it marching or rock-n-roll, or the solo performer just looking to express their musical talents.
In addition to sales, the store offers instrument repairs, music lessons, as well as delivery service. Staff also travels to schools throughout the County, working with bands to ensure music remains a part of children’s school experience.
For more information, call 764-3651 or look for KMH Music on Facebook.
