WE WANT TO HELP OUR FRIENDS - IT’S WHAT HOMETOWNERS DO!

When our family was working hours on end, to come up with a business plan for son Andrew, initially, we had a particularly difficult decision to make. With family links and quite a bit of history, we came very close to locating Andrew Currie’s Music and Collectables on the main street of Bracebridge. When we bandied ideas about, my main concern for our two enterprising sons, was that they be comfortable with their environs right off the bat. And that meant being ready to make accommodations as well, to start modestly, and prove beyond doubt, Gravenhurst could support a music shop. My suggestion to them was that they should be a “hometown” business, not a city-slick, franchise-style outlet but rather a welcoming, friendly meeting place that evoked light-heartedness at the same time as turning a profit. They knew it was important to represent hometown values and be an enterprise our customers would feel was willing to go the distance, to satisfy a request, make a needed repair, provide lessons to a wide range of students young and old, and be a fun place to spend time browsing or just chatting.

I can’t tell you how proud we are that both Andrew and Robert, who owns Robert Currie’s Music, have lived up to their own demands, their own expectation, and have worked hard to make their humble, interesting little shop, a credit to the entertainment opportunities in Gravenhurst. It wasn’t easy as there were many obstacles and many crossroads in the past several years. We heard about a competitor who actually told a business neighbor he wanted to scoop up our customers for himself, and advertise in the gentleman’s shop......and we’re delighted to say he was told in no uncertain terms, that “those boys” are my friends, and they do a good job. This has happened on a few occasions, and on each, the interloper has been informed Andrew and Robert are tough competitors and are planning for a long business relationship with Gravenhurst.

Part of their early commitment, and they have never missed a year, was to play a role in helping the community help itself. They have participated in many fundraisers, their favorites being both the Gravenhurst Salvation Army Food Bank and The Barge, on Gull Lake, that they have raised funds for each summer, to assist with the operation budget. With their friends and associate musicians, they have made a long term commitment, to put hometown values where they should be.......and for them that means staging a community concert. As hometown businessmen, they insist on giving back to the community that has helped them flourish. When there’s a need, well, there are some keen musicians, like Ginger Graham, always ready to join the project.

Watch for more updates on this blog site as we approach the Christmas fundraising concert for the Food Bank, on Saturday, December 18, at the Gravenhurst Opera House.