Established in 1973 to fill a need for a large, full-line discount music store in southwestern New York State.
After 28 years on the prominent downtown corner of Second St. and Main, Chautauqua Music has moved to a new, larger facility just a block and a half down the street, at 110 East Second St. This store is completely remodeled with air conditioning and proper humidification to keep all 300 guitars and violins happy.
Chautauqua Music is located in the center of Jamestown, NY, which is at the base of Chautauqua Lake and is the hub of Chautauqua County. Jamestown is noted for being the birthplace of Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy) and of the band, "10,000 Maniacs." This is a very cultural area, which is very supportive of the arts and is home also of Chautauqua Institution, a religious and cultural institution located right on Chautauqua Lake. During its 9-week summer season, Chautauqua Institution boasts a full-time symphony orchestra made up of top players from around the world and which gives numerous concerts during the season. Also, a full-time opera program puts on four professional operas during the season. The nine week season is packed with concerts, operas, plays, recitals, lectures, and the Institution is host to tens of thousands of people from all over the world who come to partake of the non-stop cultural events. Chautauqua Music is proud to be a major supplier to the staff musicians at the Institution and to all of the students who attend the summer teaching sessions.
The music store opened its doors in the summer of 1973, and the current owner, John P. Davis, came on board as store manager in September of 1973. In August of 1974, John Davis and Richard J. Crino (owner of RJ Crino Music in Dunkirk, NY) formed a limited partnership and bought Chautauqua Music. In 1981, John Davis bought out partner Richard J. Crino to become sole proprietor. In 1990, John Davis incorporated the business under BonJon Enterprises, Inc., doing business as Chautauqua Music.
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