Steve's Music Store closes after 62 years; final inventory sells at two-day online auction

After 62 years in business, Steve's Music Store—a fixture of Montreal's music scene—is entering its final chapter. The remaining inventory from the company's last downtown storefront at 150 Rue Ste-Catherine E. will be sold in a two-day online auction on July 22 and 23.

Musicians and collectors were invited into the store on July 21 to inspect thousands of instruments and equipment one last time. The sale includes more than 2,500 lots of musical instruments, professional audio equipment, DJ gear, and store fixtures. Brass, drums, and percussion instruments will auction July 22, while guitars, amplifiers, keyboards, and related equipment sell July 23. Interested bidders must register in advance.

Steve's Music Store was founded by Steve Kirman in 1965. His son Michael Kirman, now vice-president, said the closure is deeply personal. "To me it's like losing your childhood home," he said. Over the decades, customers returned with children of their own, creating generations of musicians connected to Steve's. "I've myself seen both customers and staff come in, come back, what seems like yesterday, with their kids and multiple generations being selling to," Kirman said.

Rather than simply liquidating inventory, Kirman hopes every instrument will continue its story in someone else's hands.