A musical era in Toronto came to an conclude Sunday evening as Steve’s Music Store, a Queen Street West fixture for nearly 50 years, officially closed its doors. The closure marks a significant loss for the city’s vibrant music community, a place where generations of musicians and music lovers found inspiration, and instruments.
The company closed four stores across Quebec and Ontario due to financial difficulties, leaving only its flagship location on Sainte-Catherine Street East in Montreal remaining open.
David Matthews, a long-time employee at the Toronto store, shared that the news hit hard, with customers coming in to express their sadness and reminisce about cherished memories. “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet that Sunday marks our last day of operations,” he told CBC News.
He anticipates the sadness will truly set in after he wakes up and realizes he doesn’t have a shift to proceed to. “I love talking to people, and then there are really personalities on both sides of the counter. We have regulars, that I know well, and who come from out of town to visit us,” Matthews said.
One of his favorite parts of the job? “Letting someone try a very, very expensive guitar that they can’t afford, knowing they’re not going to buy it, but just for the experience. I think we’re known for letting people try the instruments.”
Jeremy Blanchette, a Montreal-based musician passing through Toronto, believes that despite the rise of online shopping, nothing compares to the experience of physically touching and playing an instrument.
“I grew up always going to music stores, and really getting into it: the drums, the pianos, the guitars, the gear, it’s fun to have access, it makes it sense real, but it’s a shame, we’re going to lose a bit of that.”
The closing sale drew many customers, some of whom were feeling particularly nostalgic.
Jolene Hunt, a singer, admitted she hadn’t been a frequent visitor, but remembered finding comfort
at the store when she first moved to Toronto. “It’s sad to come now that they’re closing. You have to pay tribute, I guess.”
She recently formed a modern band and took the opportunity to purchase spoons and some notebooks to continue her learning.
For Raffi Aintablian, the final visit felt like a pilgrimage. Music was a significant part of his life during his teens and early twenties, then took a backseat. He purchased guitars at Steve’s and remembers the experience being excellent, with staff making him feel comfortable. “They made it easy for me and my friends.”
“Being able to see the instrument, to touch it, to hear its sound, to talk with other people about what the instrument can do in relation to what you’re looking for. all of that was part of the experience, the power of buying.”
He was surprised by the atmosphere in the store on Sunday. “It almost felt like a funeral,”
he said, and he seized the opportunity to play the guitar one last time at Steve’s Music.
With information from Bienvenu Senga
