Sixty three years of success as a small
local business in the music industry is quite an accomplishment. Our
friendly nature, knowledgeable associates, and quality products and
services keep our customers happy and returning for more.
The Music Mart was started by Olin Butt in the basement of his mother's home on Spring St., Bellefonte in 1948 for the purpose of providing service to his music students and members of the American Legion band. As director of the band, Mr. Butt lead his Junior Legion musicians to twenty-three state and four national championships. During this time The Music Mart moved to below Herman's News stand on Allegheny St., 1954, to Beaver Avenue in State College, early 60's, and to College Avenue across from the Human Development building in 1966. As the business moved it grew in size to include electric and acoustic guitars, banjos and drum sets along with the band and orchestral instruments and accessories.
The Music Mart was started by Olin Butt in the basement of his mother's home on Spring St., Bellefonte in 1948 for the purpose of providing service to his music students and members of the American Legion band. As director of the band, Mr. Butt lead his Junior Legion musicians to twenty-three state and four national championships. During this time The Music Mart moved to below Herman's News stand on Allegheny St., 1954, to Beaver Avenue in State College, early 60's, and to College Avenue across from the Human Development building in 1966. As the business moved it grew in size to include electric and acoustic guitars, banjos and drum sets along with the band and orchestral instruments and accessories.
Kay and George "Chip" Ward purchased the music store from Olin in 1975 adding band and string instrument leasing and in 1981 moved The Music Mart to its present location, 227 East Beaver Avenue. In 1990 Tom and Cheri Gallagher became the new owners and added professional sound systems, digital keyboards, DJ/stage lighting and sound system rentals and installations to the musical instrument product lines.
The Music Mart still has its "mom and pop" roots but has grown into a business with three showrooms, an in-house repair facility for musical instruments, instrument leasing, PA rental, live sound engineering, backline rental, sound system installation, and now an internet store. We are small enough to know you by name, yet large enough to serve you properly...whether you’re a local resident or an internet customer.