Plans for future of Second String Music have changed; Harts plan to close store in June

QUINCY — Six weeks ago, the plan for Rodney and Sheryl Hart was to sell their business, Second String Music, to new owners by the end of the year.

Today, the Harts say they will shut down their business on the corner of Fifth and Maine in June.

“It’s just time,” Rodney Hart said. “We’re doing OK, but it’s been disappointing. It’s been really tough. Partially why is because of the (Memorial) bridge being closed (for much of 2021 and since March 14). That just hurts us. We rely a lot on that drive-by traffic. The bridge closure has certainly made our business more challenging.”

Second String Music has served musicians and music fans in Quincy and surrounding communities since it first opened at Eighth and Washington in March 2011. The business sells guitars, instruments, amplifiers, microphones, keyboards and other items for the aspiring musician. It also carries a full line of school band Instruments to rent, as well as music books and accessories. 

The Harts moved the business to the Dodd Building in July 2012. They sold the building late last year to HM Capital LLC, a partnership of Quincyans Brian Hendrian and Andrew Mays, at the end of October for $280,000, according to records in the Adams County Recorder’s office. Mays and Hendrian have established an office for their real estate investment company on the fifth floor.

The Harts said in March they wanted to find somebody, “hopefully local,” to take over the business.

“Let’s just say we had a pretty promising lead on someone who would be taking over, and it fell through — not from our end,” Rodney Hart said. “We are really disappointed that we were unable to find someone to take it over, because we think great things can happen with the music store — but it was not to be so.”

The closure of Second String Music leaves only Square Music at 725 Hampshire as the only music store in Quincy.

All items at Second String Music now are being sold at a 25 percent discount.

Rodney Hart, 57, intends to continue to offer guitar lessons for students with all levels of expertise. He says he’s not sure what he will do next.

“I’ve been talking to some people, trying to figure it out,” he said. “I’ve got to do something. I can’t quite retire. Not yet. I could probably just work part time, but I probably would go nuts if I did that. So I’m looking for the next next big adventure. I would really like to stay in Quincy. I have had some opportunities pop up in Michigan, Phoenix and Denver, but I really don’t want to leave Quincy night yet.”