Touch of Grayce 65 Main St. Alumni owners: Grayce McLaughlin ’82 and Fred Mingrino ’73 Majors: Grayce, Art history Fred, Communication Open since: 1995 hen the variety shop closed at 65 Main, Grayce and Fred decided to open their own store in its place. During the 10 years that Grayce was a stay-at-home mom, she wished that there was a place on Main Street to buy toys. The idea for their store was born. Touch of Grayce first offered educational toys, children’s books and other items like natural health-care products and has expanded to include items that they see as both beautiful and practical, such as U.S.-made pottery and wooden cutting boards. They emphasize doing business with companies that have good track records for employee conditions and offer a variety of fair trade items. “I’d say we have both useful and delightful things,” says Grayce. “Things that catch my eye that we haven’t seen before.”
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Ellen, left, Buzzo and Gary.
Buzzo Music 106 Main St. Alumni owner: Al “Buzzo” Bruno ’72 Break-time music: Playing his horns outside the shop Major: Music history Open since: 1970
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etween the vintage photos of Buzzo’s jazz quartet, band posters and memorabilia, a hand-drawn sign assures customers that, “If we don’t have it, no one ever needed it.” “I thought of that myself,” laughs Buzzo. “It’s true.” Buzzo Music has 150 guitars on display, plus ukuleles, mini hand drums, parts, CDs, your favorite bands on vinyl — and cassette — and even Jerry Garcia plush dolls, all crammed into a space not much larger than a big living room. Buzzo opened the store with his Al Bruno Quartet bandmates in 1970, while they were students. They invested $500 each to offer gear to local musicians. Originally from Brooklyn, Buzzo says he “didn’t even think about” going back. He stayed in Geneseo, built his business, performed music, and became a resource for musicians and music aficionados in the region. Decades later, Buzzo is a legend in longevity and one of Geneseo’s most well-known alumni, memorialized in 2010 on a student-created mural in the union that depicts Geneseo’s beloved landmarks. Buzzo Music has expanded its offerings over the years, but not much has really changed. They still offer lessons to aspiring musicians. They make repairs and offer expertise. Buzzo’s longtime staff also are among his best friends — Ellen Phillips ’71 and Gary Holt ’73, who also was a member of the Al Bruno Quartet. Artwork and mementos given by customers and friends in the ’70s — like the “Truckin’ on Down to Buzzo’s” painting and Green Giant statuecum-bulletin-board — still greet customers. Buzzo’s there every day and still playing trumpet and singing with an All Stars band. “I found what I like and get to do what I love,” says Buzzo. “I feel lucky.”
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geneseo scene