Shivelbines Music Store marks 75 years of family ownership

For three generations, members of the Shivelbine family have provided the sound of music to Southeast Missouri and the surrounding states. Shivelbines Music Store in downtown Cape Girardeau, an instrument supplier to hundreds of schools and hobbyists, turned 75 this July.

Its current Shivelbine leadership, cousins Mike and Bill Shivelbine, have worked at the family business for decades.

“We’ve seen the same faces from when they were in their teens to when they die. We’ve literally seen people grow up,” Bill Shivelbine said.

The store’s roots can be traced back to 1934, when it was called the St. Louis Band Instrument Company. In July 1947, store manager R.F. Meyer and William Shivelbine, Mike and Bill Shivelbine’s grandfather, acquired the Cape Girardeau location, which would have otherwise been shut down. They renamed it to M&S Music store.

In July 1949, Meyer sold his share of the business to William Shivelbine and his son Leland. Shivelbine Music Store Inc. was born. After William Shivelbine died just two months later, Leland brought his older brother, Bill, into the fold.

“Dad quickly realized it was more than he could handle so he called his older brother, Bill, this Bill’s father, and talked him into coming back to Cape. They were a partnership until 1991 when (Bill’s) dad passed away,” Mike Shivelbine said.

Mike, Bill and Mike’s brothers Greg and Scott joined the family business in later years, though Mike’s father and two younger brothers have since passed.

Shivelbines sells and repairs numerous types of instruments, from brass to woodwinds to strings to guitars to pianos. It also sells sheet music and equipment for the instruments.

“If it can be hit or blown or strummed or bowed, we have it,” Mike Shivelbine said.

Over the years, the business has changed in many regards. It used to be located a few blocks to the west, but moved to its current 535 Broadway spot in 1969. Shivelbines also used to sell records and 8-track tapes, stereos and televisions.

“Over the years that obviously has gone away but we’ve still managed to maintain by expanding other departments to fill those holes,” Mike Shivelbine said.

Several store employees have spent more than 30 years working at Shivelbines. Since much of the store is specialized, they all have their own areas of expertise.

“We don't try to micromanage them. They’re passionate about doing their job and we let them do their job,” Bill Shivelbine said.

Currently, the Shivelbines employ around 30 staff members. Some part-time workers manage a Shivelbines location in Marion, Illinois, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025.

Other employees include road representatives, who foster client relationships with school band directors across the region, and a team whose job is to perform integration and design work for audio, visuals and lighting at churches.

Above all, the Shivelbine cousins say their store owes its success to its customers.

“There’s so many things that the brick-and-mortar business can offer you as opposed to clicking a button on your phone or computer,” Bill Shivelbine said. “… One thing you can’t get through that are these stories and the conversations and the community that you make inside of the brick-and-mortar facilities.”

Over the decades, several customers return time and time again, even bringing their children and grandchildren with them as the years went by.

“I think that's one of the coolest things that never changes: I remember my first, insert whatever instrument it was. And that's something we hear weekly,” Bill Shivelbine said.

The Shivelbines are creating new methods of improving the customer experience, including an updated website to better showcase products and provide a direct sheet music ordering service.

“You’ve got to make it easy for your customer, as easy as you can,” Mike Shivelbine said.

Music is a very personal hobby, the Shivelbines said, and a passion for it from workers and customers alike keeps their store going strong.