Holloway's celebrates 100 years in business

MONROE, N.C. — Holloway's Music Center has been around 100 years and its owners are looking forward to keeping it going many more.

The business was originally founded by John T. Holloway in 1912 and has been passed on through generations of his family.

Today, Marion Holloway, Jr., owns the business, which was previously run by his father, Marion Holloway, Sr. and uncle, James (Jan) Holloway.

A little more than 100 years ago, John T. Holloway, his father, chose Monroe over Wilkesboro to start the business because of the many railroads he saw in the area, Marion Holloway, Sr., said.

"You see all the transportation moved by train then, they weren't into trucks and everything came by freight cars," he said.

John T. Holloway had the opportunity to go into business with piano manufacturers and felt Monroe would be a better place for a business because of the railroads in the area, he said.

"He was a natural born salesman," he said.

In the early days of the business, his father delivered pianos and organs by horse and wagon. As the business progressed over the years, it began to offer a larger variety of musical instruments, accessories and other music related items. For a period of time the business also sold appliances.

"It's been an interesting experience to see how things have changed," he said.

In addition to changes at the store over the years, there have been changes to technology and the Monroe and Union County since the store opened. He remembers years ago how when there were major sporting events going on, they would place a radio on the sidewalk in front of the store and members of the community would gather around to hear it, he said.

In addition to being a good salesman, John T. Holloway was also known as an excellent rabbit hunter and checker player, Marion Holloway, Jr., said.

Documents they they've found show that John T. Holloway received his first freight delivery on April 15, 1912 and opened the store for business the next day. Over the years, the store has operated at various locations around Monroe. Today, the business is at 1608 Skyway Drive but was previously run out of a building near a Monroe train depo and then later out of buildings on Franklin and Main streets in the town, he said.

The music side of the business has remained constant over the years as well as its dedication to it's customers, community and employees, he said.

"We've always had good help and good customers," the senior Marion Holloway said.

He credits the work of his father, grandfather, uncle, James Holloway, mother Ann Holloway and others who have worked and helped out in the store for making it a success. He's thankful to Monroe and Union County residents and others for supporting the business over the years, Marion Holloway, Jr., said.

"We're looking forward to the next 100 years because it's widely noted that the first 100 are the most difficult," he said.

The city of Monroe made a proclamation at its April 3 meeting declaring April 15 as Holloway's Music Day. To celebrate the store's 100th anniversary, a number of upcoming events are being planned that will include live music and other activities throughout the year.

"It's a great honor to be working here," Chris Capps, a salesperson at Holloway's Music Center,said.

He has been working at the store about five and a half months but was a customer of it before then, he said.

Skip Jackson, a sound technician with Holloway's Music Center, has been with the business more than 10 years and enjoys coming to and working at the business.

"It's the best job I've ever had," Jackson said.

For more information about Holloway's Music Center call 704-283-2814 or visit www.hollowaysmusic.com.

Read more: The Enquirer Journal - Holloway s celebrates 100 years in business 

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