Forte Music relocates to Perkins

PERKINS TWP. — Forte Music's new location hits all the right notes. After nearly 34 years at its Hancock Street location in downtown Sandusky, Forte Music relocated to 2419 E. Perkins Ave., Suite A, in Perkins Township. "It was time to expand," owner Ed Adams said. Adams said they were fortunate to be in downtown Sandusky for many years, and they were happy to be there. "The community has always been very supportive of us," he said. Forte Music began business in Sandusky in 1987 with a goal to provide beginner students with quality band instruments. The business also has a location in Tiffin. Forte Music employees visit area schools weekly to drop off and pick up instruments, make repairs and offer accessories. They provide new or like-new instruments for beginner band students and their parents to rent at an affordable cost. "It gives band directors a quality instrument in their band," Adams said. In addition to working with area schools, Forte Music also repairs band and string instruments. The pandemic resulted in fewer instruments needing repairs because schools were limited in what they could do. But now the need for repairs is picking up again. Forte Music serves a wide range of people including students and their parents to older people who have instruments or are looking to purchase a gift. "One day, I had a 77-year-old man come in who wanted a guitar repaired and then a 12-year-old came in to get some reeds," Adams said. Now that the new location has more space, Adams wants to stock more digital and acoustic pianos. The showroom is nearly 3,000 square feet compared to the 900 square feet at the previous location. Adams added Diamond electric guitars and Alvarez acoustic guitars to the inventory along with accessories. There's also a variety of sheet music and books for different kinds of instruments. The new location opened toward the end of February. Adams said it's going to take a while to fill the room, but they're working on it. Some products aren't available because of the pandemic. "This room is just beautiful. It's spacious. The access and parking are great," Adams said. "It's everything we had before plus way more room and product."