Music Go Round gears up for Canadian grand opening

Keith Dixon has fond memories of learning to play his sister’s guitar in 2005. Three years later, he acquired an axe of his own — a Gibson Les Paul with a cherry sunburst finish.

“From there the collection got really massive and the interest was always No. 1,” said Dixon, who owns 50 guitars and 25 amplifiers. “It was always my top hobby, for sure.”

Now the 28-year-old musician is channelling his passion for gear into the first Canadian location of Music Go Round, a chain of stores where customers can buy, sell and trade used musical instruments and equipment.

Dixon is inviting the public to celebrate the Winnipeg store’s grand opening at 1295 Pembina Hwy. today through Sunday. There will be giveaways, food trucks, live music and the chance to win a hollow-body electric guitar.

“It’s super exciting because there’s a lot of great gear to be had here,” Dixon said.

He and his five employees spent the last five weeks purchasing used instruments to stock the store, located near McGillivray Boulevard.

During that time, they accumulated more than 300 guitars, 80 amplifiers and 30 bass guitars. They also purchased 10 drum sets, a number of keyboards and a variety of brass and string instruments.

Music Go Round advises franchisees that it takes six to eight weeks to get a location stocked, Dixon said. Doing it in just over a month meant Dixon could open the store ahead of schedule; it also indicates to him that there’s a demand for a store like his.

“The cost of life is very expensive, so it’s hard to afford new gear,” he said. “Used gear could be just as good as a brand-new item for a way better price. This is like a thrift store for instruments, at the end of the day.”

The brand is committed to sustainability, affordability and fostering community for musicians across all skill levels, per a news release.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Dixon was a competitive swimmer for 19 years. He studied history at the University of Calgary on a swim scholarship before ending his collegiate sports career a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic started.

The music enthusiast’s late grandfather, George Esau, introduced him to Music Go Round during a trip to Florida four years ago. Created by franchisor Winmark Corp. in 1993, the chain has 34 locations in the United States. Esau had observed the brand’s success and thought it might be a good fit for Dixon.

Dixon agreed, researched the brand further and signed a contract in October to open his store.

He had his heart set on opening the business at 1295 Pembina Hwy.; as a high school student at Vincent Massey Collegiate, he walked past the location regularly and dreamt about opening either a car dealership or music store.

“For 13 years, I’ve kind of manifested this unit,” he said. “When it was Hakim Optical, I always wanted it for my business and here we are.”

Winmark Corp. is excited to bring Music Go Round to Canada, said Tim Kletti, vice-president of operations at the Minneapolis-based company.

The company operates four other franchises that specialize in buying and selling used goods: Plato’s Closet, Once Upon a Child, Play It Again Sports and Style Encore.

“The fact that all five Winmark retail brands will be doing business in Canada as of Thursday is a big milestone for us,” Kletti said.

Dixon’s personality, business acumen and understanding of what Winnipeg musicians need make him a good franchise partner, Kletti added.

The brand is actively looking for franchise partners in other Canadian cities. The cost to start a Music Go Round is US$300,000 to US$500,000.

Meantime, Dixon can’t help but think of his grandfather when he enters the store.

“He was very important and always there in my life before he died,” Dixon said. “I wish he was here to see this but I thank him for getting me into this business.”

Dixon is looking forward to the grand opening celebrations and promises there’s something for everyone at Music Go Round — including for people who are picking up an instrument for the first time. “This is a great store to start that musical journey.”

The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca