We signed a lease, moved in, put up a sign, bought some inventory and started doing business as Guitars R Us (there were 2 of us, and at that time, the name seemed like a good idea back in 1984). As I recall, there were 8 or 9 other music stores already in existence down there, all operating within a two block area, so there was a lot of existing activity and foot traffic with many musicians, producers and recording artists coming and going at that time. This particular Hollywood location was helpful to us as there was already a very active music scene on Sunset Boulevard. We procured a small retail space on Sunset Boulevard in 1984, which was the front half of an already existing and small Guitar Repair shop owned and operated by Roman Rist of Rist Guitars. He stated if I was willing to do most of the heavy lifting and handle the day to day operations, freeing him up to pursue Music Management, that he would agree to a partnership, and off we went. I approached Hubberman with my idea, and he acknowledged that having another guitar store was an idea which he'd consider if He would not have to “run” it. I had decided that a partner would be helpful as I had no prior experience running a Store or any business, but I did already have some Vintage Guitar knowledge and expertise. I decided the timing was right and in early 1984 I approached Hubberman with my idea to open a used and vintage guitar shop in Hollywood. My music career was not very fruitful, and by the time I turned 28, my ambition and desire to work for myself and pursue my own business grew stronger.

The LA music scene was blooming in the early 1980's, and Howie had started losing interest in running a retail store and wanted to pursue Music Management. Howie had arrived in California during the same late 1970's period that I came, and by 1983, he had already opened and closed two stores. Shortly after arriving in LA in 1977, I had met a guy called Howie Hubberman, who had a small, used guitar shop in North Hollywood. To pay my bills and support myself, I had also been working in the Graphic Arts industry for a small and successful, independently owned company that specialized in Movie advertising (remember, this is Hollywood). Before this time I was playing music and gigging around the LA area playing Bass while simultaneously buying, selling and learning about Vintage Guitars, (which for me started in 1972 while I was still in high school). …the original store was an idea I had come up with in late 1983.

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