Today we’d like to introduce you to Armando Zuppa.
Armando, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Penny Lane Emporium began as an online store only, I literally started selling ukuleles online on my eBay Store and gradually reinvested all profits into purchasing new inventory to list for sale. In the matter of a few months, my small apartment was full of ukuleles for sale and it was then I decided to open an actual brick and mortar store that would sell more than just ukuleles.
I had been a bluegrass musician for a long time and I thought that South Florida was missing an Americana driven music store, a place where we would celebrate all aspects of the Americana Acoustic tradition, where you could find bluegrass instruments, acoustic guitars and ukuleles and could take lessons in all those instruments.
In 2010 we were in the middle of the real estate crisis and the economy was overall pretty bad. Many music stores around me were closing and only the big stores like Guitar Center and Sam Ash were still open but struggling. I always thought that people were still needing music and acoustic music in particular. The ukulele craze was just beginning and all the sudden Penny Lane became a landmark for the Ukulele world in South Florida.
I started with a little place, 750 square ft, one and a half teaching studios and one teacher (me) and a part-time employee who was helping out when I was in a lesson.
We moved to a larger place (2000 sq ft) in 2014 and finally in 2017 we moved to our current location, which is now 5000 sq ft, has 5 teaching studios, 14 teachers of various instruments, 2 full time employees and carry brands like Martin and Collings Guitars, Deering and Nechville Banjos, Kanile’a and Kamaka Ukuleles and many other great American Brands.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Penny Lane Music Emporium – what should we know?
I think excellent customer service is our main goal at Penny Lane. We all strive to have our customers and student have the best possible shopping experience and we do that with a personal touch.
I personally help all our staff understanding the instruments we sell. I think that is crucial, especially when most of our customers are looking for someone to help them decide which instrument fits their goal best We are not here to sell the most expensive guitar, but we are here to help you choose the right guitar for you.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The goal is about the same I had going into this adventure, bring the music that I love so dear to the South Florida music scene and help the South Florida acoustic musician with the right tools and knowledge of acoustic instruments.
Pricing:
- lessons: $160 for 4 half hour lessons
- lessons: $300 for 4 one hour lessons
Contact Info:
- Address: 3038 N Federal Hwy, ste M
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33306 - Website: www.pennylaneemporium.com
- Phone: 954-566-8141
- Email: support@pennylaneemporium.com
- Instagram: pennylanemusicemporium
- Facebook: pennylaneemporium
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