Manchester Institution, Beller's Music, is a Family Affair

The Beller and DuBaldo names have been synonymous with the Manchester music scene for decades.

If the DuBaldo family has any say in the matter, it will remain that way for decades to come.

Since the 1950s, Charm City residents and people from throughout the region have known that if they needed a guitar pick or a violin bow, a music book, a ripping guitar, music lessons and everything in between, they could find it at either Beller's Music downtown or DuBaldo Music Center on West Middle Turnpike.

On Thursday, dozens of current and former music teachers, customers, town officials, family and friends gathered to celebrate this tradition and officially welcome the Beller's Music store back to Main Street.

Although the shop has already settled into its storefront location at No. 881, it's been there since the fall, it didn't stop people from first posing with owners Ed and Donna DuBaldo, and their sons Nicholas and Peter, who manage the stores, in front of the shop as part of a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting event. 

When asked what it meant to him to bring Beller's back to Main Street where it started, although not in the same location, Ed DuBaldo said, “This is really where Beller’s belongs.”

In 1954 Ray Beller returned to Manchester from New York City to start the music store and this time he returned as one of the most preeminent musicians in the country. That was 1954.

Now in 2013, DuBaldo said that “being back on Main Street gives us the ability to grow, to service our customers more, provide a nicer environment and, hopefully, help revitalize the downtown area of Manchester.”

"It’s all part of being proud of being in Manchester," DuBaldo said. "We have an environment hopefully comfortable for parents, where the kids want to come and learn and hopefully excel in music," he said.

Even more important of the business aspect of the relocation to Main Street, is the family aspect," he said.

"Helping kids, helping families enjoy music and actually spend some quality time with each other. We look at this as more than a business; it’s part of a life style,” DuBaldo said.

Manchester Mayor Leo Diana echoed those sentiments when he spoke briefly during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Diana recalled his first music lessons with Bruno DuBaldo, Ed's uncle, as he attempted to play the drums.

"Having the DuBaldos back here on Main Street, especially at this time when we're focusing our resources to Main Street, I couldn't be happier or prouder for this family and for this business. I wish you the best of success," Diana said.

To add to the special occasion, family friend Deacon Neil Richter of St. Joseph Church in Bristol blessed the store at its threshold and Pastor Scott Cady of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester added his words of praise.