A South Side instrument shop that has outfitted Columbus pickers and fiddlers for more than six decades is shutting its doors this week. Bluegrass Music Shop, also known as Bluegrass Musicians Supply, will close for good on November 14, leaving behind a legacy that stretches back to 1963.
The store sits at 1370 S. High St. in Columbus, according to 614NOW, which first reported the closure. The shop reportedly opened in 1963, according to its Facebook page, meaning it has operated for more than 60 years before this week's final day. The outlet notes that it is unclear why the longstanding instrument supplier is closing.
In the meantime, the business is selling the rest of its inventory at a discounted rate, according to social media posts cited in the report. That has brought a rush of shoppers eager for one last deal, but it has also set off a wave of nostalgia among longtime customers.
Customers Mourn End of an Era
Social media users have lamented the store's closure in the days leading up to its final day. One social media user said Bluegrass Musicians Supply has been important to both Columbus and Ohio's broader music community, adding that the shop has meant a lot to them personally since moving to the area.
Another social media user described buying instruments and supplies at the shop over the years while taking part in its weekly jam sessions. A separate poster called the closure a sad day and urged people to stop by during the final week to take advantage of the discounts before it's gone for good.
A Weekly Gathering Spot for Pickers
Beyond retail, the shop has served as a hub for the region's bluegrass scene. A concert schedule from WOSU lists a recurring Saturday gathering at the store, running from 10 am to 3 pm each week at the same South High Street address. For many regulars, that weekly jam has been as much a draw as the instruments on the shelves, making the shop's exit from the High Street corridor a loss that extends well beyond its retail inventory.
