Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - "Laughing, being with family, bringing music to the people and making new friends."
That's what the long legacy of Denton, Cottier & Daniels means to Michelle Trimper, who will be closing the business with her brother Jim Trimper Jr., officially this Wednesday after nearly two centuries of business.
The decision came quickly following the passing of the Trimper's father and previous owner, Jim Trimper Sr.
"In November, our father passed away. He was the owner. It was his passion. He absolutely loved the store. He loved serving Western New York's musical needs. And, truthfully, it probably should've closed 10 years ago," Jim told WBEN on Tuesday.
"He did everything he could to keep the store going for as long as he could. When he passed, we looked over the financial records and decided it's just not sustainable. So we decided to shut the store down."
Jim and Michelle remember the history that goes well beyond their father taking the general manager role of the 13 New York stores in 1973, and then eventually taking ownership in the early '80s.
"It started in 1827 as a little shop or booth kind of thing inside the Eagle House Tavern," said Jim. "Just a guy selling violin strings and stuff like that and grew over the years to where it at one time was a five floor megastore downtown. We sold everything from records, TVs, band instruments. We refinished furniture, we did complete rebuilding and repairs on all kinds of things. Over the years, it just became less and less to the point where now it's just pianos and a little bit of sheet music. But yeah, the history is just awesome."
Both Michelle and Jim have been working inside the piano shop alongside their father since they were young teenagers and will always remember the opportunities and adventures they've had that comes with being in the piano business.
"We've had such unbelievable opportunities to meet some of the world's best musicians, to travel places we never would have gone in a million years to hear beautiful music and to work with members of the community for fundraising," recalled Michelle. "When I finally got a little perspective, enough time went by where I could say this is a good thing we did, let's not take away from that. All the people that were brought together by the beauty of one instrument."
Michelle recalls a time when a man was buying a piano for his young son.
"The next thing you know, this guy you've known since he was a little guy only through here is now playing and writing songs for Broadway," she said
Both Michelle and Jim share a special message to all the loyal customers and friends of the business.
"Thank you so much for working with us for our entire lives. Thank you to our music educators without whom these pianos would mean nothing, the parents that supported music, all the employees that we've had over the years, that are just good, kind and beautiful people," said Michelle. "Everyone always worked as a team together."
"Thank you for all the years of support and business," added Jim. "My dad really, really loved helping people find the right instrument for their needs and he always said we're not just selling a product, you're selling somebody happiness because the look on people's faces when they get an instrument that they love is priceless."
The final day of operation is Jan. 31, 2024, where they will close at 4 p.m. EST.