Hyde Music Closes after 23 Years of Business

"Don't get me wrong, I love my town," said Frank Hyde, "but it's impossible to do business here anymore."

Hyde recently closed his business of over 23 years, . He did so with a heavy heart.

"This is a changing, ailing economy, " he explained. "And then you have other variables like the fact that ripping up Route 3 has just killed business. I mean months of business."

Hyde was a town councilman for Coventry between the years of 2002 and 2010 and was instrumental in bringing economic development to the town. He hates to see many of the local businesses hurting as well.

"Talk to any of the business owners around here and they'll tell you, " he said. "People throughout the state are leaving because other states are just more business friendly."

Even eight years ago things were different and he had high hopes for industry in Coventry.

"As councilman I brought in  and  - just doing that is a full-time job," he stated. "But in the past five years it's become so much worse."

Technology has also caused smaller stores to struggle.

"You know, the ease of buying off the internet is another problem to add to the economic challenges everyone is facing. Store ownership isn't the same as it once was."

Hyde laments the lack of interest in funding music education in the state as well and feels that particularly hurt his store.

"It's not just Coventry," Hyde said. "I'm not trying to be negative, but it's just the way things have gone. Owning any store in this economy is difficult, but the local interest in music state-wide is low. They did away with music in the schools in Providence and Cranston as well, and Cranston has a very active school district. It's a disheartening trend."

After 23 years, Coventry musicians, young and old will have to find another place to take instrument lessons and purchase sheet music, instruments and accessories.

"If I could re-open with a different business plan, I would," said Hyde.