America`s Best-SeUing Student String

RETAILERUPDATE
shop for band and orchestra instruments
and the largest selection of band instruments in the state make this new location the most complete music store in
Washington.
In 1931 Ted W. Brown bought the
Sherman Clay store in Tacoma, thus
founding Ted Brown Music Company.
Brown's determination and faith in his
country's future kept the business alive
through the Depression, and over the
years the principles of integrity and
unquestionable business ethics that he
instilled have helped his company prosper and grow.
HENRY Z. STEINWAY HELPS
KICK OFF BOCA GALLERY
HENRY Z. STEINWAY was among the
more than 150 invited guests who celebrated the October 16 grand opening of
the Steinway Piano Gallery of Boca
Raton, Florida. The last member of his
family to operate world-renowned
Steinway & Sons, the company's retired
chairman presented the gallery with a
bronze bust of his great- grandfather and cially commissioned replica of an origiSteinway & Sons founder Heinrich nal on display at the Smithsonian
Engelhard Steinweg . The bust is a spe- Institution in Washington, DC.
The event began with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony featuring Mike Arts, president of the Boca Raton Chamber of
Commerce. Bob Luptak, founder and
president of the Steinway Piano Gallery
of Boca Raton, then took guests on a
tour of the 6,000-square-foot showroom
with its state-of-the-art acoustics
designed to showcase the celebrated
sound of Steinway & Sons pianos. In
addition to the gallery's main showroom, a separate, glass-walled showroom displays Steinway art case and
Crown Jewel pianos. The store also fea-
(I-r) HENRY Z . STEINWAY, Steinway &
Sons retired chairman; Frank Mazurco,
executive vice-president; and Bob
Luptak, founder and president,
Steinway Piano Gallery of Boca Raton.
CUTTING THE RIBBON at the new
Steinway Piano Gallery(I-r): architect
Bob Aude; Daniel and Reno Luptak;
Bob Luptak, founder and president; J.C.
Perrin, chairman of Boca Raton
Chamber of Commerce; and Mike Arts,
president and secretary Chamber of
Commerce.
America's Best-SeUing
Student String
Super-Sensitive ® Musical String Co.
1805 Apex Road • Sarasota , FL 34240-9386 U.S.A.
Phone : 941/371-0016 • Fax: 941 /378-3617
Website: www.supersensitive.com
52
MUSIC
TRADES DECEMBER 2001
tures a multi-purpose recital hall that
will be used by local pianists, music
groups, and educators. As part of the
grand-opening ceremony, Steinway &
Sons Executive Vice-President Frank
Mazurco presented Luptak with the
Steinway & Sons Dealer Appointment
Plaque.
One of just eight Steinway dealerships
in the Americas permitted to operate
under the Steinway Piano Gallery trade
name, the new Boca Raton store is the
first Steinway & Sons dealership based
in the southeast Florida city. Its territory includes Broward, Palm Beach, and
Martin counties.
Prior to opening the new Steinway
showroom, Luptak was a Steinway
senior district manager for 15 Southern
states and Latin America for 16 years.
As a senior district manager he managed all aspects of sales and marketing
for Steinway & Sons in his geographic
region. He also was a music educator
and performer.
PATRIOTIC DISPLAY AT
ALLEGRO MUSIC
Our expansion into the digital piano market comes with
aggressive dealer costs making sell-though exceptionally easy!
Quality European style & design, with innovative features supported by the assurance of a 5 YEAR parts warranty, all
backed by a manufacturer established for over 110 years.
ALLEGRO MUSIC 'S Ed Surowitz
poses in front of a display of "Stars and
Stripes" guitars.
THE TERRORIST ATROCITY of
September I1 was so emotionally
wrenching for Ed Surowitz, president of
Allegro Music in Kingston, New York,
that he found it impossible to apply
himself at work. In the first few days
afterwards he found himself staring
glumly at the television set and watching replays of the airplanes slamming
into the World Trade Center.
Our entry level console piano, has the features of our competitors mid-priced models and our grand ' s, come in 3 sizes,
with 4 different models including ensembles. Build profitability through large and exclusive territories.
Call today for a dealer price list and information kit.
With a mainstreet location, Allegro
Music typically decorated its large glass
display windows with an assortment of
cheap guitars painted in bright colors.
As therapy, Surowitz went to the hardware store and spent $20 on masking
tape and red, white, and blue paint. He
spent the next few days decorating the
guitars with stars and stripes motifs. The
finished window, filled with patriotic
themed guitars, proved to be a huge traffic-stopper and even made the front
page of the Kingston Daily Freeman.
Like any merchant, Surowitz was glad
for the attention; however, he wasn't
motivated by commercial considerations. "It was a gesture that helped me
express positive feelings of patriotism
and national unity," he said. "I was just
trying to express how grateful I am for
everything America stands for."
GENERALMUSIC®
The 'Niche' Keyboard Company
Dealer Support & Information 1-800 -323-0280
mchin@generalmusicus .com www.generalmusic.com
MUSIC TRADES DECEMBER 2001
53
STEIN WAY
PIANO GALLERY
FROM BOB LUPTAK
BLuptak@ Stei nway BocaRaton.com
17 October 20P
Mr. Henry Z. Steinway
STEINWAY & SONS
109 W. 57" Street
New York, NY 10019
Dear Henry:
My thanks for your visit to Boca Raton to participate in the Grand Opening Celebration of the Steinway
Piano Gallery Your presence was very important to me and contributed greatly to the success of the
evening.
On a similar note, I would like to again thank you, Bruce Stevens, Dana Messina, and Dennis Tortora for
your support of my new business. I am confident of my work to date as well as the success of my future
business plan.
Finally, my thanks for the opportunity to continue my relationship with you and the Steinway Piano.
Very best w hes Henry,
STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY
Bob,tuptak, President
I
S T E I N W A Y PIANOS
B O S T O N PIANOS
ESSEX PIANOS
7940 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOCA RATON, FL. 33487 1-866-FON-1853 WWW.STEINWAYBOCARATON.COM
RETAILER U P D A T E
from six main chambers plus an
antiphonal chamber using over 160
speaker cabinets. This world-class organ
will be dedicated on September 23,
2001, by Dr. Joyce Jones of Baylor
University.
STEINWAY BOCA RATON
BUILDS NEW FACILITY
CONSTRUCTION IS UNDER way on
the 6,000-square-foot showroom of
Steinway Piano Gallery of Boca Raton,
the exclusive Steinway & Sons dealership in Broward, Palm Beach, and
Martin counties in southeast Florida.
Bob Luptak, president of Steinway
Piano Gallery of Boca Raton, said that
renovations of the existing
Mediterranean-style building will
include gutting its interior and creating a
showroom to the precise specifications
of Steinway & Sons. He expects construction to be completed by late spring.
Aude, Shand & Williams, a Clearwater
architectural firm, is designing all interior space of the showroom, while GTE
Builders, based in Boca Raton, will handle construction work.
Located at 7940 North Federal
Highway, the main showroom will feature state-of-the-art acoustics to showcase the celebrated sound of Steinway
pianos. A separate showroom will display Steinway artcase and Crown Jewel
pianos.
In addition, local pianists, music
groups, and educators will be able to use
the gallery' s multi -purpose presentation
room and recital hall. It also will be
available to local arts and cultural organizations for meetings and fund-raising
events.
Steinway Piano Gallery is the first
Steinway & Sons' dealership based in
Boca Raton. It is one of just eight
Steinway dealerships in the Americas
permitted to operate under the Steinway
Piano Gallery trade name. Aside from
Steinway pianos, the gallery will handle
Steinway-designed Boston and Essex
pianos.
Before opening this Steinway showroom, Luptak was Steinway's senior dis-
trict manager for 15 Southern states and
Latin America for 16 years. As a senior
district manager, he managed all aspects
of sales and marketing for Steinway in
his geographic region. He also was a
music educator and performer.
BILL'S MUSIC HOSTS
"FUL BLOWN" BAND
BALTIMORE MUSIC lovers know
that when they go to Bill's Music
House they can often expect an "unexpected." Recently Bill's Music House
hosted a free in-house concert featuring
"Ful Blown," a local hard rock band.
Ful Blown is comprised of drummer
Wolff Casey Shipp, bassist Lorne
Phillips, guitarist Mike Riviera, and
singer Kevin Levrone. Levrone is also
known for his #2 ranking in Body
Building in the Nation. Ful Blown
stopped by to play a couple of sets for
Bill's Music shoppers before a gig at a
club in Baltimore that same weekend.
The group also has a new CD, Infidelis.
VINThGE!
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Or... give new guitars that "classic" look
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Grover/Trophy Musical Products Cleve., Ohio 44114
62 MUSIC TRADES MAY 2001
RETAILER U P D A T E
is one of just eight Steinway dealerships
in the Americas permitted to operate
under the Steinway Piano Gallery trade
Black Page," one of the most complex
rhythmic pieces ever written.
Wackerman and Bozzio stayed in town
for the next three days, doing radio interviews as well as in-store and night club
appearances. "It was a great way to close
out a successful year," said Rupp.
name.
Before his appointment, Luptak was a
Steinway & Sons senior district manager for 15 Southern states and Latin
America for 16 years. As a senior district manager, Luptak managed all
aspects of sales and marketing for
Steinway & Sons in his geographic
region. He also was a music educator
and performer.
PINKSTON MUSIC
MARKS 10TH YEAR
RUPP 'S DRUMS
MARKS 17TH YEAR
Rupp's Drums of Denver, Colorado,
celebrated its l7th anniversary with two
blowout promotions. On December 2,
the high profile professional drum shop
staged its annual "Pre-Holiday Sale."
Factory reps from Premier, Ludwig,
Tama, Sonor, Gretsch, Mapex, DW,
Zildjian, Sabian, and Toca were on hand
to help the flood of customers. "It was
our most successful single-day event
CELEBRATING RUPP'S DRUMS 17th
anniversary (I-r): Terry Bozzio; Chad
Wackerman; Bob Rupp, Rupp's Drums;
and Chris Lombardi, Drum Workshop.
ever," said Bob Rupp, president.
The following day, Rupp's staged backto-back drum concerts featuring Terry
Bozzio and Chad Wackerman. The
crowd of nearly 1,000 was mesmerized
by the extraordinary skills of both drummers. The duo closed the event with a
performance of Frank Zappa's "The
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Pinkston Music of Gulfport,
Mississippi, recently celebrated its tenth
year in business. Marking the occasion,
the company completed a 2,500-squarefoot expansion of its drum department
and added a 600-instrument guitar
gallery. According to founder Jim
Pinkston, the location did over $1 million in sales last year.
A profesional musician, Pinkston started his retail business in a 500-squarefoot site ten years ago. Today the company occupies 8,000 square feet and
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118 MUSIC TRADES FEBRUARY 2001
MEMO
Date: November 7, 2000
To: All Steinway & Sons and Boston Piano Company Personnel
From : Frank Mazurco
Subject:
Announcement of New Dealership in Southeast Florida
(Broward, Palm Beach and Martin Counties)
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Luptak, Owner/Operator of the
Steinway Piano Gallery in Boca Raton. I know that all of you join me in
congratulating Bob Luptak on this new business and challenge.
As you know, Bob Luptak has been a District Manager for the past 14yrs
representing us in the Southeastern U. S. We are extremely pleased with the
experience that Bob will bring to this important marketplace. He will be representing
Steinway & Sons, Boston and Essex pianos in this new operation.
The following is the information you will need for your records. Please update
your files/faxes/E-mail, etc...
The projected opening of this new Storefront will be February 15, 2001.
Mr. Bob Luptak/President
Gold Coast Musical Properties, LLC
d/b/a Steinway Piano Gallery
7940 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, Fl 33487
Tel: 770-667-0505 /Fax:770-667-0506 /Cell: 570-331-1980
E-mail: rluptal@ix.netcom.com
FM/cf
Steinway Piano Gallery (Boca Raton)
tetnway, Henry
From : Fernandez, Carmen
Sent : Wednesday, June 28, 2000 4:34 PM
To: All of Steinway & Sons; All Steinway and Boston Dealers ; Hoover,
James; Snyder, Robert; Losby, Ron; Kurrer Thomas; Husmann
Werner; Hanson, Dennis; Majeskie, Paul
Subject : Announcements...
Luptak and Billings
Victor Geiger.doc
New Dealer...
Congratulations!
No I IIc? ()GJ Vr r
MEMO
Date: June 28, 2000
To: All Steinway & Sons and Boston Piano Company Personnel and Authorized Dealerships
From : Frank Mazurco
Subject:
Announcement of New Dealership in Southeast Florida
(Broward, Palm Beach and Martin Counties)
We are pleased to announce that Bob Luptak and Greg Billings have formed a
partnership to represent us in Southeast Florida.
As you know, Bob Luptak has been a District Manager for the past 14yrs
representing us in the Southeastern U.S. Greg Billings has been successfully
operating the Steinway Piano Gallery Naples since 1996.
We are extremely pleased with the talents and experience that Bob and Greg will
bring to this important marketplace.
I know that all of you join me in congratulating Bob Luptak and Greg Billings on this
important responsibility. They will be representing Steinway & Sons, Boston and
Essex pianos in their new operation.
Further details will be provided within the next 60 days regarding location and contact
information.
FM/cf
Luptak and Billings New Dealership
News
ro
w
HOG owner Armand Schaubroeck (center) with members of the Distillers at the House of
Guitars Punk-O-Rama Barbeque
House of Guitars' Punk-O-Rama
Barbeque Sizzles
Rochester, N.Y.-based House of
Guitars recently hosted the PunkO-Rama Barbeque in its side parking lot. More than 500 punks
showed up to eat and meet with
bands, such as the Dropkick
Murphys, the Distillers, Bouncing
Souls and the Dwarves.
Attending bands signed CDs,
posters, tickets and various body
parts. The event was followed
with a performance from the
bands at Waterstreet Music Hall.
The Sam Ash Percussion
Division recently visited the',
Sabian corporate office and factory in Meductic, Canada, to
enhance their understanding of
the company and its products.
The group received a tour of
the cymbal-making process and
attended a variety of presentations and meetings. New product demonstrations and roundtable discussions gave the Sam
Ash people an opportunity to
discuss the marketplace and
their mutual desire for consumer
satisfaction.
-12
WCMF 96.5 FM radio promoted
the event, and free barbeque was
provided courteousy of Epitaph
Records and the House of Guitars.
"The House of Guitars set up
two grill areas on each side of the
parking lot," said House of Guitars
owner Armand Schaubroeck..
"The staff pitched in as barbeque
chefs. It was wild. The bands'
CDs were playing on the sound
system, shakin' up the whole
neighborhood."
Luptak , Billings to
Open New Steinway
Piano Galleries
Bob Luptak and Greg Billings
recently formed a partnership to
open a Steinway Piano Gallery location to cover the Southeast Florida
market, including Broward, Palm
Beach and Martin counties.
Luptak has been a Steinway Piano
Gallery district manager for the past
14 years, and Billings has operated
Steinway Piano Gallery Naples since
1996. The new location will represent Steinway & Sons, Boston and
Essex pianos.
Guitar Center (Nasdaq
NM:GTRC) reported net sales of
$178.6 million for its second
quarter ended June 30, 2000, an
increase of 28 percent over
$139.2 million for the 1999 second quarter. Net income for the
quarter increased to $4.1 million-or $0.18 per diluted
share-a 78 percent increase over
pro forma net income of $2.3 million-or $0.10 per diluted
share-for the second quarter of
1999. All historical prior amounts
have been restated to include the
results of Musician's Friend Inc.,
which Guitar Center acquired on
May 28, 1999 in a pooling of
interests transaction.
Guitar Center opened two
stores in existing markets during
the quarter, one in Commack,
N.Y., the other in Beaverton, Ore.
The company also opened two
stores in the new markets of
Sacramento, Calif., and Virginia
Beach, Va. During the quarter,
Guitar Center also acquia ed
Veneman Music Co. in Rockville,
Md., providing the company with
its third store in the Washington,
D.C., market.
Net sales from retail stores for
the quarter totaled $149.6 million, an increase of $27.2 million,
or 22 percent, over net sales of
$122.4 million for the same period in 1999. Comparable store
sales increased 7 percent, or $8.6
million, compared to the prior
year period.
Gross profit margin percentage for the retail stores after buying and occupancy costs was
25.1 percent compared to 26
percent in the second quarter of
1999. This primarily reflects
additional occupancy costs of
immature stores and increased
freight costs due to the number
of new stores opened in the East
and South.
musicine
september 2000
STEINWAY
PIANO GALLERY
FROM BOB LUPTAK, PRESIDENT
OFFICE 561. 637.4940
FAX 561.637.4941
EMAIL Bluptak@SteinwayBocaRaton.com
27 July 2001
Mr. Henry Z. Steinway
Steinway & Sons
109 W. 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
Dear Henry:
I am so delighted to hear that you will be able to share in my grand opening this fall on October 16, 2001.
Your being here for this important event means a lot to me.
This event will be attended by several other Sle^nway & Sons officials as well as Steinway Artists who are
living here in South Florida during the season. cg: Grant Johannesen, Peter Nero, Susan Starr to name a
few. Also attending will be numerous presenters, academe and important patrons of the arts and residents
and business owners of South Florida. You will be in good company. Much of the media has already
agreed to cover this event.
As we get closer to this date I will be in further contact with specific details. In the meantime, I do hope
you are enjoying your summer and I'll look forward to us corresponding again soon.
Many (banks Henry,
STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY
Bclb Luptak
CC: Bruce Stevens . Frank Mazurco , .S'teinirnv & Sons
STEINWAY PIANOS BOSTON PIANOS ESSEX PIANOS
7940 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOCA RATON, FL. 33487 1-866-FON-1953 WWW.STtINWAYBOCARATON.COM
IcL50 IA'NOIDNIIIIN
08 AVMNI31S 8ZE
AVMNI3IS 'Z AdN3H
Bob Luptak
Steinway Piano Gallery
7940 North Federal Highway
Boca Raton FL 33487
Dear Bob I am delighted to hear that you have big plans for your part
of Florida , and will be delighted to show up on October 16 for your
opening ceremonies . Polly will not be with you/me.
You have taken on quite a challenge , and I wish you well
and hope you make a big success.
3 j 6 1,/ zec
I
STEIN WAY
PIANO GALLERY
FROM BOB LUPTAK, PRESIDENT
OFFICE 561.637.4940
FAX 561.637.4941
Email bluptak@ SteinwayBocaRaton.com
04 July 2001
Mr. Henry Steinway
Steinway & Sons
Steinway Hall
109 W. 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
Dear Henry:
As you know I am now in my own business here in Florida. We'll be moving into our first location in
Boca Raton in the next week or so. There are also 2 other stores soon to be developed in Jupiter and
possibly Miami-Dade. I am now making plans for my Boca Raton store Grand Opening which is being
slated for the Fall (or the beginning of the "season" as its referred to down here). This is the best time of
the year here in south Florida.
I would like to know if you and you wife can be here to join me for this special celebration. The date is
October 16, 2001 - Tuesday 5:30 - 8:30 PM. I will be sending along some additional details as to the
specific activities in the next few weeks.
This event is an important one for both myself and Steinway & Sons. The Steinway Piano Gallery in Boca
Raton will be one of only 8 Steinway Piano Galleries in the Americas. Other dealers as you know Henry
use this Steinway tradename, but loosely. My business will truly represent a Steinway Piano Gallery the
way it was intended.
Your presence will make this a grand event here in Boca Raton and I would sincerely appreciate your
consideration.
I'll await your reply.
1
Best regards,
BOB LUPTAK
CC: Bruce Stevens, Frank Mazurco
Steinway & Sons
STEINWAY PIANOS BOSTON PIANOS ESSEX PIANOS
7940 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOCA RATON, FL. 33487 1-866-FON-1853 WWW.STEINWAYBOCARATON.COM