Swan song: Beloved Fredericton music shop closing its doors after 50 years

After serving the musical community of Fredericton for half a century, Tony’s Music Box will close its doors.

After 50 years in the heart of downtown Fredericton, Tony’s Music Box is ready for its swan song.

The popular music store is closing it’s doors after serving the people of the province’s capital city for five decades.

Rick Arsenault has been a loyal Tony’s customer since moving to Fredericton in 1993.

“This was my first stop at a music store when I moved here,” he says. “I’ve bought a lot of guitars. Jeez, a big part of my heart is going to be gone here.”

For the past 22 years Dave Palmer has worked in the back as the store’s repair man. He says the decision to close was “economics of the time,” noting the trend of buying things online.

“There was a whole perfect storm of different things that came to play into play on it,” Palmer says. “And this is where we find ourselves.”

Since the decision was announced in late October, community members have visited Tony’s to get one final guitar pick, or their last set of drumsticks, and just about everything in between.

The store is offering 20 per cent off all merchandise, which has left little for anyone still hoping to make one final purchase.

“It’s been crazy,” says Terri George, who worked at the store alongside her brother Michael, who owned the music shop. “We have had a lot of sales, a lot of support, a lot of people in.”

Both Palmer and George say the staff at the music store was a family and they are proud of everything they accomplished over the past half century.

The storefront’s final day is Nov. 22, and hours have been reduced to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday for the last few weeks.

Once the final chord is strummed, the establishment will be missed not just by Fredericton residents, but musicians across the Maritimes.“

It went far and wide, I was kind of surprised,” Palmer says. “My wife works on the base at CFB Gagetown and, you know, everybody seems to know all about it out there.”

While there are many music shops spread across the Maritimes, Arsenault says Tony’s was different.

“I think you talk to any musician across the East Coast, they’ll know where Tony’s is.”

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.