Italmelodie, a precious resource appreciated by every type of local musician from headbangers to synth pop tunesters has closed after decades of selling musical instruments on Jean Talon just east of the Main.The adjacent Italmelodie music school remains open.
The store could no longer make ends meet and has permanently closed after being open since 1970.
Flavio Zeffiro , then 25, quit a factory store to purchase the store with his brother Mario, a drummer in Italian wedding bands, in 1971. (Flavio said the business had been in operation for a decade prior to his purchasing it but there's no evidence of any music store at the site in the 60s).
How many musicians purchased instruments at this store that went on to tickle and delight ears and uplift souls?
No idea but probably quite a lot, so we mourn its passing.
A variety of comments by consumers and insiders on various online forums praise the store but others are less flattering,
"The staff is pretty friendly and the prices are decent, however, I have probably had some of the worst retail shopping experiences of my life at this store,"wrote one unnammed shopper.
"One of the worst stores in Montreal," wrote Etienne Tremblay. "They take you for an idiot," said another. "They forgot to order the electronic drum I had been waiting patiently for," wrote Carr Bruno.
Employee Cristian Miranda wrote on Facebook that "A dumb giant called Italmelodie has fallen because of weak leadership, the economic reality and all the changes in how our customers do business. I feel bad for the institution it was. Everyone who has worked in there will remember the years spend for the rest of our lives. Getting to know each one of you has been a privilege. I believe I have made some friends for the rest of my life and I've learned from all of you. So we lost our jobs, we where in trouble for a little while but they lost a business, generations worth of effort, their reputation and respect from the industry."Respected Montreal panist and piano teacher Ron Harris, who taught at Italmelodie for 13 years said that the music school has a different management so it might survive.
Harris lamented the closure.
"In its heyday, when sales were booming and when it catered to budding garage band musicians and accomplished artists, it was more than just a music store, it was part of the cultural fabric of Little Italy, of Montreal, Quebec and Canada. I had the privilege and honour of working with a great team, a knowledgeable and talented staff. You will be missed"