Q&A: After 41 years, Sarnia's last independent musical instrument shop is closing
Owner Mark Dixon says he's ready for the next chapter of retirement
After four decades as a hub of music in Sarnia, Picker's Alley will be closing up shop in March.
Owner Mark Dixon is starting a new chapter and retiring after 41 years. He first opened the shop at just 24 years old.
Picker's Alley is Sarnia's last independent musical instrument store, and Dixon said it's set to reopen as a Long & McQuade at 430 Exmouth St.
Dixon joined CBC's Afternoon Drive to share more of the story with host Matt Allen. Here is some of that conversation.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Matt Allen: Not many people can say that they've worked their dream job for more than four decades. Take us back to 1984 where everything began. Why did you open up Pickers Alley?
Mike Dixon: Well, before that, I was a road salesperson for the Martin Guitar Company out of Scarborough, Ont. This was one of the towns that I visited on my track. I realized this town needs a good music store. There was a small music studio wanting to branch out and open a store. So I agreed to give it a try. I was only like 24 years old, so I had nothing to lose.
MA: It seems like a pretty big leap for somebody in their mid-20s.
MD: I guess it was, but I was kind of crazy when it came to my career. It was like things weren't going as well as I had hoped, and I was looking to do something daring, and I always wanted to run my own business. It seemed the opportunity was there, and I liked the town. The vibe was good anytime I visited here. There were seven other music stores in town when I moved here. Now there's just me.
MA: That speaks to the job that you've done having longevity. There's been a lot of change and you've managed to maintain the business.
MD: That's right. There's been three recessions, a global economic collapse, a pandemic. I've seen all kinds of things happen. There were no computers in the store when I started here, not for the first five or six years. Through the 90s, there were computers but no Internet, and then everything changed when the Internet kicked in. That was a game changer.
MA: When did you know it was time to close and retire?
Mike Dixon: A lot of things happened this past summer that kind of drew that conclusion for me. I turned 65 in August. I don't own the building, so the landlord told me that they wanted to sell the building, and that's never a good thing. So I made the call to Long and McQuade.
LISTEN: What led Mark Dixon to open up Picker's Alley in his 20s
MA: Over the last 40 years, what stands out to you most about the people who have come through the doors there?
MD: The people. There are all kinds of different people who come through the door. What strikes me most is everyone's got some artist in them. And you see that with people, whether they work in a plant and they're in their dirty work outfit on their way home. The artist comes out in them when they're in here. Everyone's creative, and it's just fascinating.
MA: You played a part in bringing that artist out of them as well. You mentioned Long & McQuade, who will be taking over the space. Are you feeling good about the decision?
MD: I feel really good about the decision because I've known the Long & McQuade Group since before I was ever in the business. When I was in a band when I was 17 years old, I went down to downtown Toronto and bought our PA system on credit, and some guy in a suit came in with a clipboard and checked off a bunch of boxes. They're really the only out for me at this point.
Picker's Alley is open until March 17.