Life without music

Crestview

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/06/2025 (336 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I recently went to Columbus Radio Ltd, located at 1151 Sanford St. near Polo Park, as I was having problems with my stereo system, thinking the issue was with the connections to my speakers.

Columbus Radio is a small local business that offers sales and services for stereo and radio equipment, especially for older models. I first visited when I decided to have my late husband’s stereo system refurbished seven years ago. It had been sitting in my crawl space for several years, collecting dust and looking sad, all neglected. I felt the need to play my old albums to soothe my soul during my period of grief. I still have albums from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s and knew that hearing them was just what I needed to elevate my spirit. I felt young again listening to my favourite songs and felt my husband close. The sound from my albums is distinctive and of such quality. Every aspect of the music is pronounced, like a fine-tuned instrument being played.

When my hardware issues began a few months back, I tried to fix it, and even elicited help from friends, with no luck in solving the problem. My music was silenced for weeks, and each time I walked by the stereo, a sadness filled my heart at no longer being able to hear my favourite music.

Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer and knew what I had to do. So, I returned to Columbus Radio to have the stereo diagnosed and repaired. Like aging people, my system needed some attention to renew its vitality once again.

Going into the store is like walking into the past. There are rows upon rows of equipment, parts and electronics that only those of my generation would recognize. I felt I had entered another time zone. The smell reminded me of an old library, where you know a lot of history remains.

The staff were warm and accommodating. When I indicated how sentimental I was about my stereo and receiver, as it had belonged to my husband, I was told this wasn’t the first time stories had been shared about the sentimental value of a stereo belonging to a deceased loved one. The walls of this store held so many reflective stories.

The work was completed efficiently with the same quality I remember from when I first walked into this store. Minor repairs and adjustments, as I suspected.

So now the music is playing once again, as my albums are brought back to life.