In 1968 Don Edwards and Rich Welker, two high school students, were hired as part-time help. The Bronsteins maintained a policy of hiring high school and college students to work at the store. They encouraged the student help to take on as much responsibility as they could handle, and the part-time help did everything from sales, to delivery, cleaning, repair, and collections.
Bronstein Music - The First 75 Years
In the Beginning...
On February 9th, 1946, Milton and Celia Bronstein opened the doors to the public for the first time. Their first customer was a small boy named Buddy Powers. Buddy walked into the store with a can of change, dumped it on the counter, and proclaimed his intention to buy a trumpet. Mr. Bronstein not only found Buddy a trumpet, but he also gave him his first lesson. Little Buddy Powers grew up to become a renowned commercial musician, working extensively with Woody Herman.
Advertisements: 1968-1978
In 1981, the Bronsteins retired, selling the store to Rich and Don. At that time, the store no longer sold TV's, stereos, record players, or organs, but instead focused on selling band instruments, acoustic pianos, sheet music and combo gear such as drums and guitars. A large portion of the business was rental of PA systems and combo gear.
The 1989 Bronstein Music "Tuxedo Sale"
The Store & School
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Newspaper Articles
San Francisco Classical Voice: Bronstein: A Harmonious Mom-and-Pop Store By Jeff Kaliss - November 30, 2011
The Daily Journal: Staying in tune through the years: Endurance of Bronstein Music driven by owners’ friendship by Austin Walsh - July 12, 2017
The Daily Journal: ‘It’s not going to be the same’ by Austin Walsh - March 2, 2018
In 2018, Don and Rich closed the store on Grand Avenue and relocated Bronstein Music to a smaller location on nearby 3rd Lane. They decided to reconfigure the business to focus more on school band programs by converting to primarily a repair shop and school supplier.
Bronstein Music - To the future
On July 1st, 2019, Don and Rich sold Bronstein Music to Ron Graham, a long-time employee who started at Bronstein Music in 1990 as a private saxophone instructor and eventually became the repair shop manager.
Bronstein Music doesn't sell organs (seriously, it was a lot of organs!) or provide lessons anymore, but we're more focused than ever on school band programs and repairs for the local community. As we did in 1946, we still are dedicated to getting first time players, pros, and the general community quality instruments that will last them a lifetime.
We're still here and are looking forward to another fabulous 75 years of music!
