Tis' the Season to Shop Local: Mohawk Valley Music
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: December 6, 2011
It's in a hidden spot in Herkimer, and the owner of Mohawk Valley Music says this shop is more then just merchandise.
Mohawk Valley Music owner, Richard Carnright says it all started from an idea of opening up a youth center.
"What we do is take a little bit of the money off to the side and we just piece by piece begin to finish parts of the building. It's been five years now," said Carnright.
Since 2006, the music shop has been more of a hangout for young people instead of just a business.
"We get local kids that come in that have a place to come and be able to play their guitar without having a salesman bother them. They can come into a relaxed atmosphere. They can bring their guitars and play, and sit and talk with the owners, and kids share their music and share their stories," he said.
Richard says that even though his store may not have all the merchandise a large chain might, it still has something the bigger stores lack.
"Big stores don't have service. They can't fix guitars, they can't repair, they can't do the things that the smaller stores can do," he said.
As a local business owner, Richard can stay involved with the community by keeping money close to home and developing relationships with all his customers.
"I can work one on one with people, with the kids, with different customers, instead of sitting behind a desk punching a clock," he said.
Richard says that owning a local business isn't always easy, but the experience is well worth it.
Mohawk Valley Music owner, Richard Carnright says it all started from an idea of opening up a youth center.
"What we do is take a little bit of the money off to the side and we just piece by piece begin to finish parts of the building. It's been five years now," said Carnright.
Since 2006, the music shop has been more of a hangout for young people instead of just a business.
"We get local kids that come in that have a place to come and be able to play their guitar without having a salesman bother them. They can come into a relaxed atmosphere. They can bring their guitars and play, and sit and talk with the owners, and kids share their music and share their stories," he said.
Richard says that even though his store may not have all the merchandise a large chain might, it still has something the bigger stores lack.
"Big stores don't have service. They can't fix guitars, they can't repair, they can't do the things that the smaller stores can do," he said.
As a local business owner, Richard can stay involved with the community by keeping money close to home and developing relationships with all his customers.
"I can work one on one with people, with the kids, with different customers, instead of sitting behind a desk punching a clock," he said.
Richard says that owning a local business isn't always easy, but the experience is well worth it.
