In August, Guitar Center celebrated the grand opening of the retailer’s brand new store location in Times Square in New York City, drawing numerous members of the press, including Dan Ferrisi, Editor of The Retailer. The new store is located at 218 W. 44th St. and opened its doors on August 7. The opening coincides with another milestone for Guitar Center as the retailer celebrates its 50th anniversary. Standing as the 262nd store nationwide, Guitar Center’s Times Square location is housed in what was the original New York Times building, updated with a modern look by award-winning design firm Eight Inc. (Apple, Nike). The Times Square location will foster a hands-on environment in which customers are encouraged to interact with the wide selection of instruments and a dedicated staff of experts.
To commemorate the occasion, Guitar Center hosted a Grand Opening Weekend, kicking off the night of the grand opening with a performance by hip-hop icons and current Tonight Show house band The Roots. It took place across the street from the new store at the Best Buy Theater. Tickets were given away at New York-based Guitar Center locations in the days leading up to the event.
Guitar Center Times Square features a number of programs, such as in-house lesson facility Guitar Center Studios, free Recording Made Easy classes, in-house rental department, a hands-on electronic music department and onsite guitar repair service GC Garage. Features unique to this location include a Fender custom shop where craftsmen tailor guitars to unique specifications, a boutique pedal selection in a 360-degree display and The Platinum Club, which showcases top-of-the-line, high-end luxury guitars.
“Joining the caliber of retailers that have established a presence in Times Square over the years is a huge accomplishment and a statement as to how far the brand has come,” declared Mike Pratt, Guitar Center’s CEO. “By opening a Guitar Center in such a visible, high-traffic area as Times Square, we are able to open more eyes to the inherent joy that comes from playing an instrument. The store is amazing, and we can’t wait to share it with our customers. It’s a proud moment for all of us at Guitar Center.”
“Guitar Center is one of the few brands out there working to inspire people to make music. They are able to survive in a culture that supports creativity and musicianship, just like us,” said Questlove, joint frontman for The Roots. “New York is where I reside and Times Square is the heartbeat of the city. So, to have Guitar Center in the center of it all is an exciting moment for New York musicians.”
Additionally, throughout the weekend, the Times Square store featured exclusive savings, gear giveaways and free events. Eric Clapton’s “Blackie” Fender Stratocaster, purchased by Guitar Center for $959,500 at a Christie’s Auction to raise funds for Crossroads Centre Antigua, was on display all weekend, and Dream Theater’s John Petrucci greeted customers in the store on August 9.