The Tobias Music Story
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| Tobias Music was founded in 1978. The
Tobias family, because of their interest in folk music and guitars, took a modest bank
loan to open a small, family run guitar store within a couple of blocks of their home. The
original intent was to provide a guitar-related activity for any of the interested Tobias
children that might, in the future, provide an occupation for a family member. At least
three of the Tobias children (total of 6) as well as Margaret Tobias, worked at the store
in its early years. In 1982, due to a layoff from his real gig, Ken Tobias came to the store as its full time operator. It was not his intention at that time to make the store his full time occupation, but because of the soft job market at that time, his stay was extended (at this point, 25+ years!!). As time passed, the customer base grew and it appeared as if the store might someday provide a living income. The perseverance of the family paid off and now Tobias Music, while still occupying the same store space, has become one of the most respected acoustic guitar shops in the greater Chicago metropolitan area as well as the nation. A number of significant changes have occurred over the nearly thirty years that we have been in business. Every few years Tobias Music changed product lines (particularly on the lower end) to create more interest. This has paid dividends. We have also expanded the inventory of premium, USA made, guitars over the years. In 1999, the decision was made to discontinue the sale of electric guitars and amplifiers. This decision was not based on any competitive factors, but on the small percentage of total sales that these items represented. This decision allowed Tobias Music to concentrate its efforts where its strength lies, in acoustic instruments. We will however proudly carry the new Taylor solid-body electric's in 2008! Tobias Music continually shops for newer and more exciting products. Recent additions include Walden, Simon & Patrick guitars, and the new Taylor solid-body guitars! Tobias music has received much support and praise from its suppliers over the years. Our store only measures four hundred square feet, but in one past year, we were the tenth largest USA dealer for one of our premium brands! Tobias Music has been featured in supplier publications, trade magazines, and the Chicago Tribune on a number of occasions throughout our history. A quick look at the sales history of Tobias Music will show that the its customer loyalty and support has made it one of the premier small acoustic shops in the USA. Tobias Music will not rest on its successes but will continue to seek out new and better products for its customers and will attempt to continue the level of service that our customers have become accustomed to receiving in the past thirty years! The latest, and very significant, addition to our staff is our son, Paul Tobias! Paul left a very successful career with the Pepperridge Farm Company in order to assure that the family tradition of quality and service continues on for many years to come. Welcome aboard Paul! So, to our customers, family, and our suppliers, THANK YOU !! The Tobias Family
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