As many of you know, we are located in the Twin Cities metro area in MN. I've been salty (hopefully in an amusing way) in the past about when people say "Minneapolis," they generally mean the larger metro area, but it's less amusement and more correction right now. We are all experiencing what the world sees as "that thing happening in Minneapolis" to varying degrees, throughout Minnnesota.

I stand firmly with my neighbors and our community... especially now, when we are called upon to look out for each others' safety, rights, and dignity.

We are a small business, and have been here for 50 YEARS -- this year. I had planned to start celebrating that fact at the beginning of this year, but this is not the time to celebrate. I look forward to the chance to do fun, cool (probably somewhat weird and maybe slightly stupid things) in honor of being able to carry on this odd but wonderful idea my father launched. In good conscience, I have not, and will not do that until this occupation is over.

My father, an orphan who found his family in the Marine Corps, started this crazy musical journey with a legendary Minneapolis coffeehouse (The Scholar, for the curious. look it up.) One of his proudest moments was refusing to allow Federal troops to bivouac and land helicopters on their roof. They assumed that he was an easy get, because of his history of service, and were met with the sort of uncompromising (and for them, knowing my dad, extremely uncomfortable, forceful and somewhat profane) reaction those of you who knew my father might expect. Not because he wasn't a patriot, but because he was the best version of patriotism. My efforts pale in comparison, but I'd like to think he would be proud of me, and all of us in this moment, in Minnesota.

We know a thing or two about what community means, because we are PART of it. My family lives in this city, minutes away from my store. I have lived in this state for my entire life. One thing is clear - I (we) cannot stand idly by.

Closing on a Friday is not an easy decision for any small business. I want everyone, in particular, to think of the small businesses that are immigrant owned, that have made this difficult choice. I'd also like you all to think about the chain businesses that have the capacity and funding, to easily withstand this moment, and choose not to. If Amazon joined us, for one day, Jeff Bezos would not have to make hard choices about what to do when his bills come due. Please take a moment to consider that when you go back to shopping on Saturday, and in the future.

So, now that i've had my chance to rant, we ARE standing in solidarity, closing on Friday, and re-opening on Saturday.

IF YOU ORDER ONLINE on FRIDAY JAN 23rd - we will do our best to ship on Saturday, but if it is crazy busy, (full transparency) - we probably won't ship until Monday. Thanks for understanding.

Visitors coming into the store know that G&L was one of my "flagship brands" of guitars and basses. I have a unique inventory of 20+ G&L USA, USA Custom, USA Option Order, and USA Limited Run guitar models, along with the more affordable Tribute line too.

While I greatly prefer that guitars be experienced in-person and not be subjected to the perils of shipping, I also know that y'all want to know what we have, and there are serious buyers across the USA that are OK with shipping. So, we are putting them out here. Come into the store or buy with local pick-up. If you're not local, give us a call and we'll discuss the best shipping method(s).