GREENSBORO — Stuart Fitzpatrick is feeling the economic pinch like many business owners these days.
But he still sees customers of all stripes at his recently relocated music store in Greensboro.
"In a way they transcend demographics," Fitzpatrick said. "Rock is typically viewed as a young male thing. But young males don't have any money, so it ends up being a mom thing. And getting lessons involved is a mom thing."
Fitzpatrick, who owns The Music Loft with his wife, Kay, sees his business as a one-stop shopping destination.
Lessons? You've come to the right place.
Repairs? Yep.
Instruments? All kinds. Drums, acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers, keyboards, microphones, tambourines, triangles. You name it.
Competitive prices?
"We're a discount store," Fitzpatrick said. "I would assume we're like everybody else in that regard, but we match Internet prices."
The Fitzpatricks moved the store to Church Street at Wendover Avenue from Lawndale Shopping Center after taking full ownership in February.
"We're a little closer to downtown," he said. "We like the location. Got our own parking for a change."
Music has always struck a chord with the couple.
Stuart Fitzpatrick, 55, played guitar folk music at coffee houses in the 1970s when he attended UNC-Chapel Hill. The couple, both music students in college, has also performed in a number of bands through the years.
These days, you'll find them performing for the community at places including area churches.
They also play music at the Urban Ministry when the nonprofit is serving meals to the needy.
Stuart Fitzpatrick also teaches the French horn at Greensboro College.
"At this point in our lives, it's kind of a giving back," he said.
The Music Loft is at 929 N. Church St. The phone number is 378-1068. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (closed on Sunday).
For more information, visit www.themusicloft.biz.
* * * * * *
Get the 411 on using coupons by Lanita Withers, a former News & Record Savvy Shopper columnist and biz writer. She's teaching a coupon class at 10 a.m. Saturday at Piedmont International Church in Greensboro.
The class starts with basics, including where to get coupons. It will also offer tips for saving money at the grocery store, drug stores, department stores and more.
She'll also talk about how to buy enough groceries and household items at the lowest price until they fall to rock-bottom prices again.
Piedmont International Church is at 206-D S. Westgate Drive in Greensboro.
Questions? Just ask in the comments section of her Web site at www.loveitforless.com.
* * * * * *
A reader sent me an e-mail praising the prices on groceries at Super G Mart in Greensboro.
I hadn't been to Super G Mart, so I decided to check it out the other day.
I liked what I saw.
Examples: Ribeye steaks for $3.99 a pound, boneless chicken breasts for $2.49 a pound, Granny Smith apples for $1.29 a pound, bananas for 59 cents a pound, cucumbers for 49 cents a pound and tomatoes for 79 cents a pound.
The international grocer, which opened a year ago, is at 4927 W. Market St. in Greensboro. The number is 252-1055.
For more information, visit www.supergmart.com.
* * * * * *
Become Web savvy. Check out the Bargain Blog and subscribe to the Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at www.news-record.com/bargains. Also, sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/ bargainblog.
Do you have retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com.
Not all of the newspaper's content appears online.
*There is a fee for downloading some older articles.