Lebanon Daily News
January 21, 2003
By Sandi Lynn Brown

Taking Note:
Marty's Music ready to soar Business to open Feb. 1st in Annville

     To get to the new Marty's Music Store, just listen for the ringing bell tower and follow the piano keys embedded underfoot to the showroom.
     This is just a glimpse of what will await customers when they shop at the building in front of the Antique Depot on Route 422 in Annville Township, the new home for the longtime Lebanon establishment.
     It's beatiful, said David Moyer, who co-owns the business with his father Lee Moyer. We wanted to make an impression. It actually helps us to develop our business. It moves us to the next level of business. But we're still family owned.
     The store is scheduled to open on Feb. 1, Moyer said yesterday. The last day of business for the downtown Cumberland Street establishment will be Jan. 28.
     The new buildling, modeled after an old school house, was designed by Kip Kelly, president of Nest Architecture Inc., based in Los Angeles. It encompasses about 11,000 square feet, compared to the current 5,100.
     The showroom features a vaulted ceiling, and a second floor will be used for storage. Natural light flows through dozens of windows in every room. Customers will be able to stop and watch band instruments being repaired through a window at the entrance.
     The new building and store were recently featured in a national trade magazine, Music Inc., Moyer said. In addition to the new structure, Marty's added two sales associates to the original four, while Moyer, his wife, Libby, and Lee Moyer will handle the office duties.
     Moyer said music teachers have rented soundproof rooms at the Cumberland Street shop to teach their students, but those three rooms were overwhelmingly booked. At the new shop, the number of rooms was increased to five, and a larger room will be utilized as a classroom. The rooms can also be used by potential customers to test musical instruments. Additionally, there will be a room dedicated to audio/visual technology.
     Moyer said the number of items carried will be expanded to include different styles and other makers. The store will also offer recording consoles.
     We've been a student market and a family market,he said. Now we're trying to gear more towards professionals.
     Marty's Music opened in 1946 in the Lebanon area. Moyer's father purchased the business in the late 1970's and the younger Moyer became involved in running it about 15 years ago.
     David Moyer said the decision to move was based on the inability for his business to grow and the inadequate parking in downtown Lebanon. The new location adds space inside and out, he said.
     We're going to miss the downtown, he said. We just outgrew Lebanon.
     A three-Saturday grand opening is scheduled to begin March 29 to coincide with the depot's antigue car show, Moyer said. A tent with a band, entertainmet and refreshments will be featured.
     The store's hours will remain the same as they are in Lebanon: 10a.m. to 7p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.