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Dusty Strings founders
Ray and Sue Mooers |
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Ray Mooers in basement shop, 1978
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| Craft fair booth |
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Young business owner
earning to multi-task |
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| Dusty Strings Acoustic Music Shop |
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The Interbay instrument
building shop |
When Ray and Sue Mooers started Dusty Strings in 1978, Ray built hammered dulcimers in the couple’s basement, and the two played and sold them at festivals and craft fairs. After they switched to selling through acoustic music retailers, the business began to grow, adding employees until the basement no longer sufficed.
Dusty Strings moved to a new location in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood in 1982, and Ray began experimenting with building folk harps two years later. An accomplished hammered dulcimer player, he had never played harp, but was fascinated with the instrument and had long been collecting information on harp design and construction.
About this time, what originally started as a display room for the dulcimers and harps gradually took on a life of its own, adding other related folk instruments, recordings and such. A few years and a few more staff members later, it had a fine range of acoustic guitars, banjos and mandolins as well. As its reputation for being a unique, fun and welcoming place to shop for instruments spread, the space swelled to encompass music workshops, a repair shop and an ever-expanding range and depth of high-quality acoustic instruments.
In 1999, bursting at seams long stretched to fit it all, plans were launched for moving the instrument-building portion of the business to a new, larger location. That was accomplished in 2002, opening up more space for an expanded store in the Fremont location and for the long-held dream of starting a music school, which officially opened in 2008.
Without ever having expected anything like this at the outset, Ray and Sue at times marvel at what has happened in the course of time. With the help and enthusiasm of many extraordinary people over many years, Dusty Strings now employs over 35 people and operates a successful acoustic music retail shop and acoustic music school as well as building and shipping harps and hammered dulcimers to customers and retailers all over the world.
They offer a heartfelt thanks to all the staff members, customers and suppliers who have helped to make this happen.