Tony’s Music Box closes after 50 years, leaving a mark on the city

Tony’s Music Box is a family-owned business that opened in 1975. (Malachi Lefurgey/AQ)

After two generations of supplying musical instruments, tools and repairs to the city of Fredericton, Tony’s Music Box is putting away cords, picks and closing their guitar cases.

Matt Blanchard, a shop technician who has worked at Tony’s for nine years, was sad to see it go.  

“None of us wants to close,” said Blanchard. 

The store had faced financial difficulties, which worsened when the pandemic reduced foot traffic.

People were no longer willing to spend high-end prices on instruments and musical bands have been disappearing. 

Blanchard questions himself whether the younger generation still has music on their minds or if other things occupy more of their time than music.  

“[Back then] if you're not doing sports, you're playing guitar, piano, but it’s hard to say [now],” said Blanchard.  

Their regular clientele, customers whose lives and careers revolve around music, keep the technician part of the business alive and well.   

“That part of the business has always been healthy in the shop. It's a shame we couldn't keep it going,” said Blanchard.  

Since the store announced its closure, Blanchard has been talking with Dave Palmer, a shop technician with over 20 years of experience, to open a repair shop sometime in January 2026.  

The hopes and dreams of a new store opening to keep the livelihood of the instruments balance the sorrow of having a beloved family business closing.  

“It's a loss for the community. It's been in the [George] family since the very start,” said Blanchard.  

Samara White, a long time customer recounts her memories of how Tony's Music Box was an open and loving environment. Being able to come by on weekends and play out any instruments. Losing herself to the music and a business that didn't care about sales but the enjoyment music brought to other people.

Michael George has been running the store since the late '90s, when his father, Tony George, stepped away because of health issues and passed away in 2023.  

Facing the reality of rising prices and having to pack the entire store in boxes, George has refused to comment on the circumstances.