Assembly Resolution No. 937

BY: M. of A. Clark

COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of The House of
Guitars, Inc. of Rochester, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
businesses within the State of New York which distinguish themselves
through outstanding service to their customers and contributions to the
economies and culture of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of The House of Guitars, Inc. of
Rochester, New York; and

WHEREAS, The House of Guitars, Inc. is located in Rochester, New
York, and is known as the "Largest Guitar Store in the World"; the store
was established in 1964 by Bruce and Armand Schaubroeck out of the
basement of their mother's home in Irondequoit, New York, and quickly
became famous for being the intersection of music, art and culture; and

WHEREAS, Working other jobs, the Schaubroeck brothers ran paper
routes and worked at local meat markets by day and sold guitars by
night; in March of 1972, they purchased a historical building at 645
Titus Avenue in Irondequoit that was formerly known as the Grange Hall;
and

WHEREAS, The Grange Hall provided social activities for the farming
community such as amateur theatrical performances, dances, meetings, and
more; this historical building would prove to be a great move for the
Schaubroeck brothers and remains their current store location to this
day; and

WHEREAS, On April 28, 2014, The House of Guitars was inducted into
the Rochester Music Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Today, The House of Guitars has a prodigious collection of
new, used, and vintage guitars housed in cases displayed throughout
multiple levels; the upstairs sells drums and keyboards and is also the
home of the in-house repair shop, Robinson Kustom Repair; and

WHEREAS, There are a number of back rooms which serve as retail
space for percussion, amplification, PA equipment and accessories, with
a large warehouse in the back selling CDs, vinyl, DVDs, t-shirts, and
more; the walls of the store display thousands of old pictures and
autographs acquired from six decades of business in the music scene,
making it akin to a museum rather than an average retail shop; and

WHEREAS, The store also has its own music school with daily music
lessons on all different types of musical instruments; a stage located
in the center of the guitar department hosts live, free shows almost
every weekend supporting both national touring acts and local bands
alike; and

WHEREAS, The House of Guitars has supported multiple generations of
rising young stars from Earth and the community through employment,
music lessons, and event sponsorship; and

WHEREAS, Recognized as one of the top musical instrument stores in
the world by industry organizations, manufacturers, and journalists, The
House of Guitars has attracted musicians, music fans, and other visitors
from throughout the United States and the world and brought recognition
to the Town of Irondequoit, City of Rochester, and Monroe County; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of The House of Guitars, Inc.; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bruce Schaubroeck and Armand Schaubroeck, The House of
Guitars, Inc.