The follow are Syracuse Record & Music stores that have dotted the Central New York area though the years. We have listed names (a-z), locations, owner & managers and products carried. We know all employees and product lines can never be complete..so if you have any knowledge of other please pass along.....instrument mfg'ers etc. Many Thanks
NOTE THIS IS A VERY LARGE CHAPTER, STILL IN PROGRESS...
Updated 1/25/ 2017
ALLEGRO MUSIC CO.
Located at 5663 W. Taft Road in North Syracuse
BEAT STREET MUSIC
Located at 219 E. Seneca Turnpike in Manlius
Instruments, sheet music, lessons. accessories
BE-BOP SHOP
Located on Old Liverpool Road across from Liverpool Drive In Theater
Mickey McMenamin, Terry Vickery
Equipment sales, lessons,
Repairs by- Dave Pasternack
BIG APPLE MUSIC
Location- Old Liverpool Road- Liverpool, NY
BONNE MUSIC (updated)
Locations- 1421 So, Salina Street just south of Sears Roebuck, later to
3455 Erie Blvd, East
Owners- Bela & Clare Sternberg retired in1987
Note- Company (on Erie Blvd ) later purchased my DeSantis & Sons Music
Products- Fender, DynaCord, Echocord, Vox, Rickenbacker, Maestro, Moserite,
Sennheiser, drum lines, Shure microphones products and many others popular lines.
Provide musical lessons
BRUCE'S MUSIC BOX
Owner Ohlmstead family. Mgr- Bruce Ohmstred (Univsersity Music Box)
Location- Northern Lights Shopping Plaza- Rt 11 in North Syracuse.
Products- vinyl, 45, 33 , EPs, Albums mono & stereo, Phonographs, needles, tapes &
accessories. Bought first Lp there- "Buddy Holly Story" then "Ritchie Valens Live at Pacoima"
BUSY BEE
Location- 105 No. Salina Street
Products- New and used vinyl, Top hits etc.
CAMELOT MUSIC
Many CNY locations including Fayetteville Mall
CAMILLI MUSIC CENTER- '(So Salina St Music Ctr)
Owner by Anthony Camilli & family
Location- J.M. Field Plaza-3518 Brewerton Rd, No Syracuse.
Lessons, Fender, Danelectro
CARISEO'S RECORD & APPLIANCE STORE
Owner- Bob Cariseo
Location- 205 E. Genesee Street- State Tower Bldg.
Downtown Syracuse
All major record label and brand name appliances
CARM'S RECORDS
Owned by Carm & Fred Iaconis and later their son.
First opened Aug 13, 1959 in Auburn, NY, Closed-Sept 1982
69 1/2 Genesee St and later 110 Genesee St in Auburn, NY
Full line record vinyl, cassettes & 8-track store, recording tapes & accessories.
Where I bought- Ronnie Dio and the Prophets LP "Dio at Domino's".
Also TICKET location for all great concert that played in CNY.
A Key CNY Music location...
CASE-SMITH PIANO & ORGAN
Location- 338 So. Salina Street
Lines- Piano, organ, sheet music, lessons
CAVAGES
Purchased Gerber Music locations- Shoppingtown, Penn Can, Fayetteville Malls etc.
Key Employees- Rob Robbins, Gary Podsiedlik, Karen Michaels
CHAPPELLE'S DEPT STORE
Although they had many store in CNY. The one location that carried vinyl was in
Northern Light Shopping Center, Top Hits & budget Lp's.
CHARLIE'S CD & #39's
Located on Genesee Street and later State Street in Auburn, NY (1994-2001)
Owned by Jane Stebbins
Employees- Jim Watts, Terry Quill, Michele Prego, Cliff Dyke, Devon Deliostritto
CLARK MUSIC CO.
First opened for business in 1859.
First located at 416 So. Salina Street in downtown Syracuse (100+ years)
Moved in 1967 to 2922 Erie Blvd, East
Note also had a location in Auburn, NY in 1960's
Key employees- Jim Smith (1966-76), Frank DeFonda (1984-2012).
Sold top names in piano & keyboards for over 100 years
Lines carried- Acoustic, Yamaha, Schmer, Baldwin, Steinway, Fender,
Sun Amps, Ampeg Amps, Top names in audio & video products & systems.
Music lessons
CLEAR LIGHT BOUTIQUE'
Another Auburn, NY music store (1970s).
COLE'S MUSIC WORLD
Owned by "Sugar Bear" Cole located on East Fayette Street in late 1970's
DAW DRUG STORES
CNY largest drug store chain in 1950's & early 60's with many area locations.
Carried- Top 45's many with picture sleeves. Visited Mattydale Shopping Plaza store
many tines. Manager- Don Miller (former member of 1927 New York Yankees).
DE SANTIS & SONS MUSIC
Location- 1317 So. Salina Street
Owners- Mario DeSantis Family, Maria DeSantis
Lines- Gretsch, Gibson, Fender guitar,
Lessons-
DE SANTIS SCHOOLHOUSE
Location- 128 West Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY
Maria & Mario DeSantis
DESERTSHORE RECORDS
Location- 730 So. Crouse Ave on University Hill
Alan Baum
Owner Tom Payne
Manager Charlie Robbins
DEY BROTHERS DEPT STORE
400 So. Salina Street in downtown Syracuse
DISCOUNT RECORDS
EASY BARGAIN CENTER
Located on Gifford Street just off Onondaga St. Budget big store discounter in 1960's.
Owned by Debbie Reynolds husband.
E.W. EDWARDS & SONS
Located at 200 So. Salina Street in downtown Syracuse
Note- also had annex behind on Clinton Street.
Products- New vinyl, 45, 33, cassettes, & accessories.
FALSO MUSIC
Owned by the legendary Al Falso
Location- 150 Port Watson Street in Cortland, NY
Gibson guitars
Favorite shop of Ronnie James Dio, Dick Bottoff, Rock Feinstein,
Gary Driscoll, Mickey Lee Soule, Don Barber, Dave Porter etc.
FINGER LAKE MUSIC (MALL STORE)
Location- Auburn, NY
GEHERIN'S
Location- Auburn, NY
GENESEE TV
Location- Westvalle, Shopping Plaza
Manager- Frank Spinelli
Products- vinyl, Top Hits, Oldies, Albums, phone needles, tapes & accessories
GERBER MUSIC
Owners- Gerber Family (William Gerber II, Jean Gerber, Bill Gerber III,
Terri Gerber, Leonard Gerber). First mini location super store.
Lines- vinyl record, cassette tapes,8-tracks, sheet music, phonograph needles, posters,
recording tape, music lessons & purchase concert tickets- example- WOODSTOCK.
A total full line music store with Fender, Yamaha, Takamine, Peavey, Martin, Gibson,
Drums lines- Ludwig, Pearl, Somar and others, Professional microphones, also
had a complete instrument repair department (DiShaw & Pasternack)
Locations- Shoppington-Dewitt, Fairmount Fair, Northern Light Shopping Ctr (1966)
Penn Cann Mall-Cicero (in 1976) and in Auburn
Music Employees- Dave Novak, Gary Frenay, Dave Pasternack, Terry Vickery
Tom Carr, Gary Podsiedlik, Bob Canastraro, Tommy Allen, Oz, Dan Dishaw,
Jimmy Johns, Mark Copani, Gary Jenkins, Phil Owens, Mickey Sage, Gary Zamory,
Peter Heitzman, Arty Lenin, Justin Root, Bruce Tetley, Tom Prowda, Tom Corradino,
Jerry Sorn, Joe Jewel, Mark Hoffmann, Mark Gibson and many many more,
Gerber Music was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame- Feb 2014
They were later sold to Cavages in 1982.
GIARDINELLI BAND INSTRUMENT
Location- 7845 Mactlage Drive, Liverpool, NY
W.T. GRANTS
Location- 300 Block of So. Salina Street in downtown Syracuse
At store around CNY, but downtown store best record dept.
Also carried records in Northern Light Shopping Center location
New 45's Top Hits, Lp's, Budget Lp's Used 45's (5 for $1.00)
GRECO'S TV-
Owners- Greco Family (Leo, Len & Tom Greco)
Location- 70 So. First Street, Fulton, later years in Oswego
Lines- record, tapes, RCA TV's and major appliances.
Instruments- Gibson, fender, others
Sold tickets to major concerts
GUITAR CENTER
Location- 3150 Erie Blvd, East, Dewitt, NY
GUITAR SHOP
Location- 100 Woodbine Ave.
GUITAR STUDIO
HARRINGTON BROS. MUSIC
Company in business since 1929 (Stephan Harrington, Thomas O'Donnell)
Located at 14 Central Ave.in Cortland, NY
Other locations- Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton, Cortland, NY
Products & Services- Pro Band & Orchestra Equipment,
Home audio & video, Repair service, Piano tuning,
Guitar, Bass & Amp repairs..to name a few.
HI FI MUSIC SHOP
Location- 323 So. Salina Street', Syracuse, NY
HOSAK JEWELERS
Owner- Fred Hosak (1960-70)
Location- So Geddes Street near Shonnard St, Westside
Lines- Jewelry, used guitars, amps and used record
TOM HOSMER VIOLINS
Tom Hosmer, 120 Julian Place
Violin instruction & repair
JOHNNY'S COLLECTABLES
Owner- John Diano
Location- 3007 James Street, Eastwood, NY
Used 45's, Lps, Cassette, magazine, yearbooks, movie posters
JUNIOR'S RECORD SHOP
Owner- Junior Stevens
Located at the corner of So. Geddes Street & Burnet Park Dr, westside.
Carried used recorded, many 1950's collectables on 45 & Lp
KLOBBY'S RADIO & TV
Location- 300 Block of James Street near corner of State St.
Owner- Bill Klobby
KNUCKLEHEAD'S
Owner- Jack Wolak
Location- 201 So. Main Street, No. Syracuse (1989-2000)
KOSS MUSIC
Location- James Street at Marlboro Road in Eastwood
S.S. KRESEGE'S
National mass merchant located on So Salina Street acroos
from Walt's Record Shop
Top 45 RPM Hits, Albums, Budget Lps,
LIVERPOOL MUSIC & ARTS SHOPPE
Location- Carl's Shopping Plaza on Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool
Owners- Clint & Mary Barter
Lines- Fender, Premier, Haystrom, Banjo,Traynor Amps,
Wilder Amps
Key employees & lessons- Mickey Palumbo, Dave Pasternack
LOBLAW'S SUPER MARKETS
Many CNY grocers stores- Eastwood, Mattydale & others
Had rack of 45 RPM Top Hits for sale
MC NEIL MUSIC CO
Location- Ithaca, NY (5 locations), Binghamton & Cortland, NY)
Owner- McNeil family since 1951
Locations, Tioga Street, Triphammer Mall, 110 W. Genesee St, Bing
Lines-only drums dist in Ithaca, had pro guitars & bass, PA Amps
& systems, Repairs.Keyboards, Lessons, many others.
MORRIS DIST CO
Owner- Morris Horowich & Family
Key Mgt- Jerry & Rich Horowitz, David & Sheldon Horowitch
Location- 1153 West Fayette St, Syracuse, NY 13204
RCA Appliances, TV and RCA Records label & One Stop
Mgr- RCA Records Division - Oscar Docks
Music- Ron Wray, Gary Podsiedlik, Mickey Palumbo, Pete Shedd,
Dan Sperato, Tom DiAmbra, Mike Ferrante, Ted Storto, Oz,
Tom Rozzano, Gerry More, Dan Elliott
MUSIC & ART CENTER'
Location- 4106 Route 31, Clay, NY
MUSIC CENTER & DRUM STUDIO
Location- 4277 James Street, Eastwood
Former Location- 2451 James Street
Buke Babikian
Howard Gersony, Mark Copani, Mike Waite (Drum Inst)
Lines- Guitasr, Amps, Mics & Accessories
Fender, G&L, Yamaha, Ovation, Boss, MXR, Korg, Stagg,
Peavey, Ampeg, DiPinto, Takamine and many others
MUSIC CORNER
Located for many years at the corner of Burnett Ave & Teall Ave.
Peter Scott & Mickey Stage
Music lessions
MUSIC LOVERS
Location- 3218 Erie Blvd, E, Dewitt, NY
MUSIC MART
Location- East Hill, Auburn, NY (1966-67)
Music Instructors- Frank Borza, Mark Doyle, Dick Howard
MUSIC GO ROUND
Location- 3179 Erie Blvd, E..Dewitt, NY (old Hechinger Plaza)
NO. SYRACUSE MUSIC
Piano & Organ sales & lessons- Bob Popek
OLIVER'S
Location-107 Marshall Street, later East Adams St & Crouse Ave
Charlie Robbins
ONONDAGA MUSIC CO.
Business started in 1935.
Owners Dave Gersney, Howard Gersney
Location- 119 So. Jefferson, later moved to So. Clinton Street.
Lines- Gretsch, Martin, Fender, Haystrom, Yamaha, Ampeg,
Marshall Amps, Peavey, Polytone, Korg, Crown, JBL,
Malatchi, various sax, trombone lines, Vinyl Records (45's, Lp, 78, EP's)
Recording tape & accessories, Vinyl Records (45's. Lp, EP, 78 RPM)
Musical Instrument sales & lessons, a full serve music store.
Huge selection of Jazz Recordings
Sadly our good friend Dave Gersony passed away Aug 31, 1997
ONONDAGA SUPPLY CO.
Location- West Genesee Street
Dist of Zenith Products
Music Mgr- William Gerber Jr
Records lines- London & others
Key- Dist of 45 rpm single Transylvania Twist by Baron Daemon
PAT'S RECORD SHOP
Location- No Syracuse Strip Plaza, just north of Taft Road.
Owners- Bud & Pat
Vinyl Records esp country music, 45's, EP, Lps, Cassettes, accessories
PETTA MUSIC
Located at 301 Montgomery Street.
Owner- Joe Petta
Lessons-
RECORD CITY RADIO
Location- 612 Townsend Street
Owner- Dave Wilkins
RECORD GIANT
Located in Auburn Plaza and managed by Marie Scruderi
RECORD KINGDOM
Located off of East Fayette Street in the mid-late 1970's by Arthur Lane
RECORD RUNNER
Located at 121 & 177 Marshall Street on University Hill.. Bob Mears owner
Later sold to Record Theater.
RECORD SHED
Location- Route 11, Cicero, NY
Owner- Bob Rawls
RECORD THEATER
Many locations including Marshall Street (1970's) & Erie Blvd, East
Jim Dombrowski, Karen Michael, Dave Ridgeway, Robert Robbins
Full line record, recording tape & accessories.
Concert ticket location
Headquarters based out of Buffalo, NY
RECORD TOWN & TAPE WORLD
Both Record Town & Tape World locations were owned by Transworld Music Co.
ROWE MUSIC
Location- Auburn, NY
Owner- Paul Rowe
Note- After his death later became Speco Music for three generations
Lines- Gibson
Music Teachers- Frank Borza, Mick Howard
SACRED MELODY SHOP
Location- 3501 James Street in Eastwood
Lines- Vinyl, Cds, DVD, Cassettes, Books
Speciality- Religious Music- Rick Cua, Joe English recordings
SALINA DISCOUNT
Located 200 block of No. Salina Street at train overpass (now Rt 81)
Carried thousands of used 45's...5 for $1.00 variety
SEARS ROEBUCK
Locations- Main Store- 1300 So. Salina Street
Carried- record, instruments many purchased their Silvertone Guitars there
SHOPPERS FAIR
Mass merchant - Key location- Erie Blvd, East in Dewitt
Carried new vinyl, Top hits and budget product lines.
SIBLEY'S DEPT STORE
Location- 401 So. Salina Street, downtown Syracuse across from Dey Brothers.
Note= Property location used was former site of Paramount & Keiths Theaters
SOUND CITY CD & TAPE
Location- 37 Main Street, Cortland, NY
SOUND SHACK RECORDS
Location- on South Salina Street near Sear & Roebuck Bldg.
SPECTRUM RECORDS
Locations- University Ave, Walnut Street & Schine Student Center
Key Management- Beth Owns, Desiree Day
SPENO MUSIC
Owner Nick Speno, Mike Speno
Location- 3 East Genesee Street, Auburn, NY
Note- Three generations of Speno family own this business
2014- Celebrating their 65th Anniversary in business.
Lines- Instruments & amps, lessons, Records, Recording Tape, accessories
STAGNITTA MUSIC
Location- 754 No. Salina Street & 907 Townsend Streets
Owner- Joe Stagnitta & Family
Lines- Goya Guitars, Buescher, Saxophones, Supro guitars
Accordions, others.
Lessons- Bill Dundee, Joe Stagnitta, Stan Colella
STEBBINS MUSIC- AUBURN, NY
Loactions - Auburn, NY 1994-2001
Owner - Jane Stebbins
Some Employees- Jim Watts, Terry Quill, Michele Prego, Devon Dellostritto, Clif Pyke
Music lessions, records & tapres, all music supplies
SYNTHESPIDER ELECTRONICS
SYRACUSE ONE STOP - WHOLESALE DIST
Locataion 333 W. Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13205
Employees- Ralph LaRosa, Chet Andrews, Mike Easterly,
Largest Jukebox supplier in CNY
TOPS DIST CO.
In late 1960's-70 had a record Wholesaler One-Stop
Manager Bob Ricks
One-Stop- Gary Podsiedlik
UNIVERSITY MUSIC BOX / OHMSTED'S / VARSITY VICTORLA
754 South Crouse Ave on University Hill for many years..
Owner- Mrs Olmsted and her family
Full line music business, records, tapes, phonographs, phone needles etc.
WALT'S RECORD SHOP
Opened March 1951, closed July 1980
Owner Walt Kandziela
Managers- Ed Grudynski
Sales- Gary Grundynski, Dave Ridgeway, Gary Podsiedlik, Larry Lieberman,
Don Bombard, Lou Everding, Dan Elliott Don Libensky, Mark Kalsuga, Guy Capone,
Kevin Adams, Steve Wasnick, others
Products- New vinyl 45's EP's, Albums, 78 rpm, Recording tape, Concert Tickets, accessories
Locations- 114 W. Jefferson Street' (as "The Record Store"), then in 1959 moved to
352 So. Salina Street, Syracuse
Many nationals recording stars visted Walt's- Johnny Caah, Gene Pitney, The Lettermen,
Jerry Vale, Al Martino, Johnny Mathis, Buck Owens, Young Rascals, Tony Bennett.
Notes- Syracuse's last great record store where customers could listen to vinyl before
buying them. These great music salesmen influenced many additional new sale.
DAVE WILKINS TV & RECORDS
Owned by Dave Wilkens
Location. So. State Street just south of Central Tech High School
Repaired Radio, TVS, Phonographs etc
Carried 45 rpm records for black community, local & national hits
WILSON JEWELERS
330 So Salina Street in downtown Syracuse
Products- 45's EP's Albums, Concert Tickets
Purchased 1965 Rolling Stones & Herman's Hermits tickets there
JACK WOLAK's RARE NECESSORIES
Owned and operated by Jack Wolak. Maybe the area's great imported of vinyl & Cds.
First opened as a mail order record business in Massena. NY in 1976.
Relocated to Syracuse. Later operated at 201 So. Main Street in No Syracuse then
shifted to Mattydale Shopping Plaza.
F.W. WOOLWORTH
Dept store located at 300 So. Salina Street in downtown Syracuse.
Products- Vinyl, 45's albums and record accessories