Business & Tech
Linden Hills Music Store Plans Expansion
House of Music bucks tough economy to expand into Fulton.
Despite a struggling economy, the music biz is up in Southwest.
This month Linden Hills' more than doubled its space by opening a second branch in Fulton, next to . Beyond the chance to expand his business, owner and guitar teacher Brad McLemore said he is excited that the extra space has room for student performances and socializing, creating a stronger sense of community in the midst of music learning.
A bigger space, with more opportunity
“This is something I've wanted to do for a long, long time,” said McLemore, himself a Fulton resident. “Here I can create more recitals, group classes, workshops, bands and camps. I'm also open to use the space for other arts.”
Despite its cozy size, in its seven years of existance the original House of Music has taught some 250 students—from preschoolers up to an 80-year-old bass player. The 22 teachers offer guitar, piano, bass, flute, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, drums, violin, cello, voice and songwriting. Now, with 14 lesson rooms between their two locations, McLenmore's business is set to grow.
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A musical family
All four boys in the Wuolo-Journey family of East Harriet have been House of Music regulars. Ray Wuolo said he found himself taking his kids there for guitar or piano lessons two or three times a week. As a blues and rock guitarist himself the past 30 years, Wuolo decided to get lessons there too—on the drums.
“I've had just a fabulous time," he said
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Wuolo joined “rock camp for dads” started by teacher Mike Michel. The dads' band, “After the Gold Rush,” played at Bunkers Bar in downtown Minneapolis this summer.
Eric and Karl Wuolo-Journey shared the stage with their dad at Barton School and Famous Dave's in Uptown. With Eric on lead guitar, Karl on bass, their dad did his best Jimi Hendrix impression singing “All Along the Watchtower.”
Having so many musicians in the family has created some fun moments. Mom Ann Journey said the recital at on Dec. 12 was “the day after snowmegeddon so we put the amps on sleds and hauled them down the street.”
