Montreal's Legendary Steve's Music Store Navigates Financial Crossroads
Steve's Music Store, a Montreal institution for over six decades, is undergoing significant financial restructuring as it struggles to stay afloat in an era dominated by online shopping. The legendary retailer is closing satellite outlets in Toronto, Ottawa, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and Greenfield Park by mid-March while fighting to keep its downtown flagship store operational.
Preserving a Cultural Cornerstone
Leo Vezina, an employee who both plays and sells guitars at the downtown location, remains cautiously optimistic despite the challenging circumstances. "At least we'll still be open and keeping this Montreal staple going," Vezina reflects. "It's just such a vital part of the city's cultural community."
The main store on Ste-Catherine Street East is currently holding liquidation sales with discounts up to 50 percent, mirroring similar sales at the satellite locations scheduled for closure. This restructuring represents a painful but necessary step to preserve the business's core operations.
From Humble Beginnings to Musical Mecca
Founded in 1965 by Steve Kirman when he was just 19 years old, Steve's Music Store began as a modest operation on Craig Street (now St-Antoine Street). Over decades, it evolved into a musical mecca where local amateurs, professionals, and touring musicians gathered to discuss everything from alpine bells to zithers, with particular emphasis on drums and guitars.
The business expanded steadily, opening Toronto and Ottawa locations in the 1970s and 1980s respectively, followed by West Island and South Shore operations in the 2010s. After expropriation forced relocation from its original expanded city-block location, the store moved to its current downtown home in 2017.
The Challenge of Changing Retail Landscape
Michael Kirman, son of founder Steve Kirman who passed away in 2012, now runs the operation with what he describes as "a heavy heart." "This was such a tough decision to make, but unfortunately it had to be done to save the rest of the business," Kirman explains.
Kirman acknowledges the mounting financial pressures facing the company, noting that "the sad truth is that this is not a brick-and-mortar environment anymore these days." The store faces intense competition from global online retailers, creating what Kirman calls "a significant disruption across the sector."
The Personal Touch Versus Online Convenience
What sets Steve's apart, according to both employees and loyal customers, is the tactile experience of selecting musical instruments. "Guitars have different personalities," Kirman emphasizes. "They're built from wood, living things. No two are the same, even from the same model. They have to be felt. That's what sets us apart from the online market—and always will."
Longtime customer George Bowser of the musical satirical act Bowser and Blue echoes this sentiment. "I couldn't buy it without playing it," Bowser says of instrument purchases. "There's a very large community of musicians—young farts and old farts alike—who will really be devastated if a pillar like Steve's is gone."
Community Impact and Historical Significance
Local drummer Tim Brierley, who purchased his first drum kit at Steve's in 1981 when he was just 11 years old, views the restructuring as part of a larger shift in shopping habits. "Steve's is more than a store—it's a musical crossroads for musicians, unlike the impersonal online market," Brierley observes.
Lenny Lanteigne, who has worked in Steve's drum department for over 40 years, describes the store as "a place where people hang out and sometimes buy. It's like a pub with no beer." Lanteigne has witnessed countless musicians' journeys, from children buying their first instruments to professionals performing on major stages.
Looking Toward the Future
Despite the challenges, there remains determination within the Steve's organization. "Through this restructuring process, we are looking to emerge as a leaner, more focused company and to come back strongly to our roots," Kirman declares. "We're not giving up."
Vezina points to the store's strategic location in Montreal's musical heartland as a potential saving grace. "I do believe this location is crucial and that we'll stay open, because there are so many musicians and technicians living here and we're right in the heart of the big music venues and all the festivals," he notes.
As Steve's Music Store navigates this financial crossroads, it represents not just a business struggling to adapt, but a cultural institution fighting to preserve the personal, tactile experience of music retail in an increasingly digital marketplace.
