Shivelbine's Music

Shivelbine's Music was opened by William A. Shivelbine and Raymond "Peg" Meyer in 1949 in downtown Cape Girardeau.

"My grandfather, William A., was the school band director and the leader of the municipal band in Cape at the time," says Scott Shivelbine, the in-store manager of Shivelbine's Music. "He decided to quit and open a music store."

Scott's dad, Leland "Freck" Shivelbine, joined the business, as did many other family members over the years.

The biggest business change Scott has seen over the years is the type of competition the store faces.

"Your competition used to be only other music stores from bordering areas," says Shivelbine. "Now, you've got big-box stores and the Internet and the competition is intense."

Shivelbine believes service and specialization have been the keys to their success.

"My brothers, Mike and Greg, and I specialize in school band instruments for beginners and we service all of those instruments," says Shivelbine. "My cousin, Bill, specializes in custom installation of audio and visual equipment on a professional level."

Shivelbine, who has worked at Shivelbine's Music for more than 40 years, enjoys the daily activities of the job.

"I enjoy working with the different customers," he says.