John Bellone was just 10 years old when his family moved from Hamilton to London, where his father opened a new store selling musical instruments.
It was in John Bellone Musical Instruments, where the now 65-year-old Bellone first realized his love of music and helping musicians. He started as a kid sweeping the floor in 1964, but after a few years and with his father's teachings, he began fixing guitars, amplifiers, and PA systems.
"Some of the most rewarding things I did was fixing things for people in time for a gig or if they had a problem at a gig we would go and help them out," said Bellone, who took over the store from his father in 1986. "You go and fix the PA for them and as you were leaving you're getting a round of applause from the people who were there. It was fun."
Now after 55 years in the business Bellone has decided to retire and close the iconic store at 446 York St.
"It's just one of those spots in time where other forces are coming into play and I just thought I really want to reduce my stress and I really want to go out more and play myself with my band and with my buddies," said Bellone. "It's just time to change channels a bit. I still want to do music, I want to do it more than ever."
The announcement was made earlier this week in a post on the store's Facebook page, which included a special video featuring Bellone himself (see below). The video has been viewed more than 22,000 times and has been shared more than 400 times.
The store that has sold new and used acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, amplifiers, drum kits, and countless accessories for five decades will shut its doors for the final time by March 31.
While it will be a sad day, Bellone said he will take away thousands of great memories of serving the public and musicians including Ronnie Hawkins and Prince.
"It's been an honour to do this and I have been lucky enough to deal with a lot of talented people... I am very thankful that I got to meet all the people I have met through this store," said Bellone, who paid special homage to local acts who relied on the store in the 60s and 70s. "As far as I'm concerned, a bunch of those guys were stars. They were awesome musicians who were underrated."
Bellone added that he has been touched by the hundreds of messages he has received since sharing news of his planned retirement on social media. Some wrote him about purchasing their first drum kits or guitars at the store, others thanked him for allowing them to spend hours in the store browsing and chatting.
"From a set of sticks, to the best guitars, Bellone’s have been a cornerstone of the music scene in London and beyond," wrote one customer.
"I will always remember being a 14-year-old geek in Grade 9, spending my lunch hours hanging out, chatting with you, your Dad, Wayne Smith, and the rest, and never once was it given the bums rush to 'buy something, or get out'. Bellones was, is, and always be, in a class all itself," another person commented.
Leading up to the store's final day in business, Bellone will work to sell off his remaining inventory with special holiday deals already being offered.
"I feel like our family really did the job right," said Bellone. "It wasn't just selling [instruments] to people, it turns out we really inspired people. You really can't ask for more than that."
