Catalano Music Is Celebrating 50 Years in New Hyde Park

It all began for Tom Catalano Sr. in the basement of a New Hyde Park home in 1961. Back then, he was a private instructor for music students interested in vocals and guitar. Now, 50 years later, Catalano Musical Products is a 6,000-square foot musical instruments store located at 1007 Jericho Turnpike.

The business has morphed many times, moving from the basement of a home to 617 Jericho Turnpike to a larger space at 1017 Jericho. In 1994, Catalano Sr. bought the building at 1007 Jericho, which is its current address.

For the serious music student as well as music teachers from surrounding schools Catalano Musical Products, known widely as Catalano Music, is a destination store. Here you can find accessories, hard-to-find sheet music and take lessons (30-minute sessions are offered) in one of three studios.

“I tried to be different, to create a reason to seek Catalano out,” Catalano Sr. said. “There are a multitude of music stores that come and go.”

It is also the headquarters of the New York State School Music Association. NYSSMA is the largest high school music organization in the country.

“We have the living NYSSMA library here – no one has what we have,” Catalano Sr. said.

Catalano Music has so far stood the test of time. Even as a sought-after destination store, the nature of being an independent business is tougher than ever. Catalano Sr. points to once-popular music stores like Tower Records and Sam Goody that no longer exist. He heard on the radio recently that Sony was laying off hundreds of workers at a CD facility in New Jersey. He said that since many consumers now download music from the Internet, the need for CDs is diminishing.

Competition has gotten stiffer for stores like Catalano Music. 

“The economy is in tough shape, which is obvious," Catalano Sr. said. "We used to compete against area and local competition. Now we are dealing with worldwide competition, the Internet,."

The 13 part- and full-time employees have a level of experience and knowledge  not often seen at a retail store. Catalano Music not only caters to consumers but schools and music teachers. If a school needs a particular arrangement for a concert, chances are Catalano will have it and provide it.

Being diversified is a major reason why Catalano Music has thrived for 50 years.

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” Catalano Sr. said. “That was the plan all along.”

His son Tom Jr. just celebrated his thirtieth year with the business. He may be the heir apparent but Tom Sr. has no plans to retire just yet.

“I’ll do it until I feel like not doing it,” he said of working.

As for the future of Catalano Music, he could not offer a prediction given the rapid changes the Internet has created.

Still, you will not find on the Web what you can experience at Catalano Music: good, old-fashioned customer service and excellence.