You know that feeling when you round a corner,
and stumble upon something most unexpected?
Last week, that's exactly what happened.
Two of my cousins and I met for lunch in a small shopping center in suburban New Jersey.
After enjoying a nice meal on the terrace of a Greek restaurant,
we were curious about the other shops in the mall.
One of my cousins peeked into a window down at the end of the walkway,
and said, "Hey, you've got to see this!"
The three of us must have been quite the sight --
grown women with our faces pressed up against the window --
but that didn't scare off the proprietor.
She asked if we'd like to come inside...
The three of us must have been quite the sight --
grown women with our faces pressed up against the window --
but that didn't scare off the proprietor.
She asked if we'd like to come inside...
which, yes, please, we would.
And that is how we found ourselves right in the middle of a fiddle store.
Menzel Violins is an exquisite shop that sells,
repairs and restores string instruments,
offers lessons, and hosts recitals, shows, jam sessions and workshops.
Founded in 1973 by Richard E. Menzel,
the business is now run by his daughter, Mo.
When her father passed away in 2000,
Mo arrived from Texas to take over the family business.
She continues his tradition of honesty and integrity,
in a market that is filled with unscrupulous dealers
who sell inferior products at highly inflated prices.
Mo showed us around this beautiful space,
and frankly, I was half-tempted to take up violin lessons right then and there.
But, since I don't know an arpeggio from an archipelago,
or a cadenza from a credenza,
I thought I'd do better to take a nap on the daybed,
and dream of Itzhak Perlman stopping by to play a concerto just for me.
For a few minutes, we felt like we were far, far away from Livingston, NJ.
Finding this beautiful musical oasis after lunch was the perfect dessert --
highly satisfying, and no calories.
Our only mistake was not asking Mo to play something for us.
How cool is this! It's not every day you see a fiddle shop. I often wonder when I hear about shops like these in high rent areas how they stay in business. Places like piano stores, spas, etc. Things people buy once and maybe never again. This place probably gets a fair amount of business from lessons.
ReplyDeleteYou must have felt like you were in Germany or Finland. lol
What a beautiful sight!! Great pics also!!
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous! Lovely instruments.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful shop! Class all the way! I do play the violin and I could have spent hours in there!
ReplyDeleteIt's magical. I love it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an elegant looking shop! A whole other world for me, since I know nothing of violins, or elegance for that matter! I would find it as a fun place to have seen too.
ReplyDeleteI opened your post and immediately heard Vivaldi in the background. I was a 'Fiddle' player all through school and in Community theatre productions. I can smell---the room---what a gorgeous way to display----and cozy to have small groups play. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing...and Vivaldi is still bowing in my head, Sandi
Absolutely loved this post! Reminds me that the most interesting places and people can be right around the corner if we just take time to look for them!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful that shop is. Something like this, finding a new and interesting place with lots of history or art or inspiration just elevates a day.
ReplyDeleteWe actually have a somewhat similar story. My daughter plays violin and bass--we went to pick up her violin from a second generation store owner and ended up getting a tour of his studio where he makes the violins. The owner was lovely, but it had a creepy-movie-quality because the partially built violin "carcasses" were hanging from the rafters. The store you stumbled upon is just sheer beauty. So glad you shared!
ReplyDeleteI've never been in a violin store before. It's so pretty! I wonder did they have violin music playing while you were in there?
ReplyDeleteSuper neat & unique shop! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness this is just beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness this is just beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous shop! I'd totally want to take up lessons, too!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have stumbled apon that beautiful store with your cousins Amy! I hope you have a nice week ahead.
ReplyDeleteJulie