Who we are... GuitarSam is one of the leading musical instrument stores in Vermont. We've maintained a bricks and mortar existence in beautiful downtown Montpelier for 41 years, and have been selling online since 1998. We're open six days a week (closed Sunday) and are happy to assist you in designing and fulfilling your musical goals. GuitarSam is located in the heart of downtown Montpelier, at 71 Main Street. Phone us at 802-229-0295 or email us.
Community involvement is important to us, and we do our best to support various causes and the arts in many ways. You'll often see our name connected to fundraisers, school events, local theater, local concerts and festivals, jam sessions, music scholarships, and in many other ways, as we support the communities that support us.
A brief history of the high and low points... Started in 1981 by original and present owner Kevin Crossett, we began as "Play It Again Sam", a name that matched the many funky and boutique-like shops in downtown Montpelier at that time. Our first store was a tiny 360 square feet. Play It Again Sam grew from a one-man shop to several employees in a short number of years, and moved across the street to a location several times larger.
In 1992, a flood filled much of downtown Montpelier with several feet of standing water. Montpelier's downtown district was declared a national disaster area. Against what seemed insurmountable odds, we were too stubborn (and liked our jobs too much) to give up.
In 1998, we launched www.GuitarSam.com and rapidly realized success as one of the earlier musical instrument stores to sell online. Within our first year of online sales, we had shipped musical gear to all 50 states and a dozen countries. We were featured in a USA Today article titled "Main Street Hits Mainstream" and the same story ran on NBC news and CNN.
In 2003, our feelings and livelihood were again threatened, this time by fire that destroyed the building that had housed us for 18 years. Relocating in the City Center mini-mall, and consolidating to one business name, GuitarSam, sent us off on the next exciting chapter of business life.
Six years later, a fantastic retail space opened up out on Main Street, with a much more luxurious-sized sales floor, more storage, easy front and rear access, better overall visibility and great parking. In November 2009, we relocated to 71 Main Street, and we very much enjoy being in one of the best retail locations in all of downtown Montpelier VT.
Community involvement is important to us, and we do our best to support various causes and the arts in many ways. You'll often see our name connected to fundraisers, school events, local theater, local concerts and festivals, jam sessions, music scholarships, and in many other ways, as we support the communities that support us.
A brief history of the high and low points... Started in 1981 by original and present owner Kevin Crossett, we began as "Play It Again Sam", a name that matched the many funky and boutique-like shops in downtown Montpelier at that time. Our first store was a tiny 360 square feet. Play It Again Sam grew from a one-man shop to several employees in a short number of years, and moved across the street to a location several times larger.
In 1992, a flood filled much of downtown Montpelier with several feet of standing water. Montpelier's downtown district was declared a national disaster area. Against what seemed insurmountable odds, we were too stubborn (and liked our jobs too much) to give up.
In 1998, we launched www.GuitarSam.com and rapidly realized success as one of the earlier musical instrument stores to sell online. Within our first year of online sales, we had shipped musical gear to all 50 states and a dozen countries. We were featured in a USA Today article titled "Main Street Hits Mainstream" and the same story ran on NBC news and CNN.
In 2003, our feelings and livelihood were again threatened, this time by fire that destroyed the building that had housed us for 18 years. Relocating in the City Center mini-mall, and consolidating to one business name, GuitarSam, sent us off on the next exciting chapter of business life.
Six years later, a fantastic retail space opened up out on Main Street, with a much more luxurious-sized sales floor, more storage, easy front and rear access, better overall visibility and great parking. In November 2009, we relocated to 71 Main Street, and we very much enjoy being in one of the best retail locations in all of downtown Montpelier VT.