We started playing just a few years ago and it’s not easy to keep going, especially when you’re older. It was hard for us – music shops were intimidating, lessons were hard to find, online resources plentiful but overwhelming.

We quit a bunch of times, until we started playing with others – that opened up a whole new world for us! One that we want to keep growing and sharing, especially with anyone new to playing or new to playing with others in a group. We hope to not only get you started, but keep you going.

And we want a neighborhood shop where everyone feels welcome, regardless of music knowledge or experience. Our hope is to spark a new interest, rekindle a past hobby, or otherwise inspire and motivate you to play more. Ask about lessons and jams and local events.

Our goals is for this shop to be a music hub for the Northwoods, a place where musicians feel supported, where people of all skill levels find inspiration and community, and where folks can learn more about the local music scene.

Koji Taylor from NBC Newswatch 12 stopped by the shop a few days before we opened. It was the day we unpacked some new instruments from one of our favorite instrument manufactureres here in the US, Troublesome Creek.

Koji spent a couple of hours here and then knocked out a fantastic news segment for that evening! Thanks, Koji! You did a really nice job of telling our story.

Speaking of Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Co., a recent segment on the PBS News Hour highlighted this nonprofit and their mission.

We’ve seen firsthand what addiction can do and what the ultimate cost can be. The full scope and impact of what Doug has created to help people in recovery is hard to put into words. And on top of that, these are some of the finest instruments we’ve ever seen, made by some of the finest people there are! Troublesome Creek and all the people who work there are an inspiration to us here at Island City Acoustics!

Check out the video and consider making a donation to Troublesome Creek. Stop by the shop to explore a selection of their guitars, mandolins, and banjos.