GOODS & SERVICES
CARLSON MUSIC Kathryn Carlson is the owner of Carlson Music Center in downtown Alexandria.
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ow a three-generation owned business, Carlson Music Center in downtown Alexandria is owned and operated by Kathryn Carlson. She has owned the business for a couple of years, purchasing it in 2020 from her father, Ron Carlson, who purchased it from his father, Sid Carlson.
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Who started the business and what year did it begin?
My grandfather, Sidney Carlson, started the business in 1948. He saw the need for a place to provide musical instruments to Alexandria and the surrounding communities.
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Who are all the previous owners of the business and what are the relationships between the owners? My grandfather, Sidney Carlson, started the business, and then in 1988, my father, Ron, took over, and then I was able to take ownership in 2020.
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As the current owners, why was it important to you to keep the family business going? I’m very proud of how my dad and grandpa were able to serve the musical community, whether it be a school, church, band or individual with instruments, service, education, repairs and support. So it is very important to me to keep that service to the musical community going for future generations.
Sid Carlson, who started Carlson Music Center in 1948, stands next to his first delivery vehicle. Contributed photo 4 | IMPACT 2023
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How has the business changed over the years? Any new locations, etc.? Carlson Music Center has had many locations over the years as well
as different music focuses as some locations have been geared toward pianos only. Our main focus is on pianos, digital pianos, guitars, used band instruments and accessories.
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What impact, do you feel, a generational business has on our community? Businesses that are generational show me that those businesses are able to provide an important service and do so well for their community. We are lucky in the Alexandria area to have so many!
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What are the biggest challenges/ rewards of owning a generational business? One of the biggest rewards is to have customers come in with stories about how they bought their first instrument(s) from my grandfather and are still continuing on their musical journey. Or, stories about how my dad once sold them four trombones in the 90s and they still play! One of the reasons I love owning Carlson Music Center is because it is so fun to watch people when they begin playing an instrument and then being able to watch and support them as they advance in their skills. Hearing and seeing these stories is very rewarding.