A philanthropically-minded, community “white knight” has come to the rescue of Cape Ann’s only shop promoting musical devices.
“It’s a tough company in that my mates who have owned new music merchants, several have shut shop due to the fact the net begun, with even thinner income margins,” stated Tom Eaton, of Diamond Cove Music — “A Picker’s Delight” — at 57 Washington St.
The realities of COVID-19 brought new issues.
“Luckily we fared Alright by that. When the pandemic hit, I considered I was finished for for the reason that the to start with 10 times soon after the shutdown of all commerce all over city, I didn’t have a single sale. Then on-line orders started out coming in simply because folks now experienced time on their arms and were being hunting to select up an instrument.”
But previous drop his landlord opted to offer, and Eaton understood he had arrived at a crossroads. However he had the suitable of initially refusal to obtain the creating, he did not have the methods to do it on his possess and if he experienced to shift, it might have been the close of his songs shop for lots of causes.
Close to that time, a single of his consumers came in and applauded Eaton for how good the shop looked. This client noticed Eaton’s demeanor sink.
Discovering why his remark drew these types of a response, the music-loving consumer provided to turn into a silent associate.
“I grew up in Gloucester and we need to have a audio retail store in Gloucester, and I would detest to see this disappear,” relevant Eaton for the reason that this resident desires to stay nameless.
With the help of Cape Ann Personal savings Financial institution, the business deal was done and Diamond Cove Tunes starts off the new calendar year on a safe basis.
This is excellent information for community musicians and tunes teachers.
“I look forward to the upcoming of Diamond Cove New music and the connection I come to feel lucky to have proven with Tom. We can’t just take for granted the relevance of a shop that a single can stroll into and feel a feeling of neighborhood, connection and inspiration,” explained Carlos Menezes Jr., director of bands and tunes at O’Maley Innovation Middle College and leader of Cape Ann Major Band.
“It’s one particular point to see a thing on the web and order with just one-working day shipping and delivery. It’s a total other encounter remaining connected to it,” Menezes added.
Eaton has been at the Washington Avenue shop considering the fact that 2014, and prior to that he experienced a showroom in the reduced amount of his house on Nashua Avenue in Annisquam, at the end of which is Diamond Cove. His small business bought its identify at the recommendation of his then 9-calendar year-aged son. The spouse and children later on moved to Lanesville and the business enterprise ongoing with its partitions sporting guitars, banjos, mandolins, violins, and ukuleles, amid several other goods.
In the late 1970s, Eaton was a total-time musician and on the street for about five several years. He experienced attended Colorado Condition University, and stayed out West in which he received into taking part in bluegrass music.
“I have a lot of knowledge enjoying skillfully, getting my audio to 24 international locations,” reported Eaton.
He has penned scores for films on PBS and songs for about 24 displays of “Says You!,” a community radio game demonstrate.
Eaton’s countless enthusiasm for music and encouraging other people on their musical journey has aided him persevere.
Mike Luster, government vice president of professional lending, said Cape Ann Personal savings Bank was thrilled when Eaton and his silent partner arrived at out for advice.
“We are a community bank and we look forward to assisting little companies like Diamond Cove,” stated Luster. “We could not be much more energized to perform a purpose to guidance this work and preserve Diamond Cove on Cape Ann and serve this neighborhood. The bank played a job as did the silent associate, but you have to give Tom the credit rating to make this expenditure, and he hasn’t wavered.”
A faithful purchaser, Menezes remembers when the store initial opened.
“At 1st, I could not consider my eyes when I walked into the store. I considered to myself ‘Is this definitely right here, in Gloucester?!’ It all created feeling when I met Tom,” he mentioned. “The shop itself is a reflection of his passion, character, and expenditure in all points music. He is committed to curating a shop that serves the wants of Cape Ann’s assorted musical palette.”
The shop also provides classes for all ages as properly as some repairs and restoration. There are workshops, and weekly jam periods.
“There are a great deal of men and women who participate in at dwelling who really do not get to engage in with other folks, and may possibly be anxious about it or really do not really feel like they are prepared for an open up mic. But this is no pressure and we have a great deal of entertaining,” Eaton explained. “I’m sensation blessed and grateful for the stability of the enterprise heading into 2022. and I feel privileged to be ready to give back to the local community and just help other musicians. This has brought these pleasure to me around the a long time.”
Menezes stated he feels a sense of pleasure and ease recognizing that there is a community shop in which he can send students for necessary equipment.
“Tom is focused to the progress of my software and has established an ongoing discussion about the distinct types of merchandise to inventory for brass and woodwind players,” he said.
He added that otherwise, a pupil is at the mercy of delivery lead times or a journey to Danvers or Boston to find the closest music retailers.
“A new music store like Diamond Cove doesn’t just deliver the resources we need to have. It fosters group and connects musicians in a way that doesn’t occur by way of social media and gigs,” stated Menezes. “I remember finding nearby musicians who motivated me to continue to keep actively playing when I frequented Gloucester Tunes as a kid. From time to time it was that they have been there, and aided me decide on out a fantastic songs e book or furnished information. Other moments, it was finding their talent.”
Gail McCarthy can be achieved at 978-675-2706, or at [email protected].