Sound of silence: Veronda’s Music nears end

KANKAKEE — A business which has helped create beautiful music, for people beginning their journey in the art or for those already well equipped with those talents, will soon be silent.

Veronda’s Music Village, a Kankakee business mainstay for more than three-quarters of a century, has started the process of liquidating its music-making inventory at its Kennedy Drive store.

The factors for its closure are many — overwhelming competition from online retailers, most notably Amazon, being the chief reason, as well as no family member interested in carrying on the melody — has led owners and brothers, Bill and Nick Veronda to this reality.

“It has taken me two years to get my head wrapped around this,” confessed Bill, 71, of the decision to end the business started in 1949 by his father, Richard.

The song being sung by the Veronda brothers is not a new one to this region. The brothers noted this area was once populated by eight music stores as recently as 1979. When Veronda’s officially closes, there will be one store standing, King Music, 670 W. Broadway St., Bradley.

The year of 1979 also marked Bill taking over the business.

Bill conceded he thought he would operate Veronda’s for 10 years or so.

But, like so many others, one year turned into two, five years turned into 10, and 10 into 20.

Before he could realize it, Veronda’s Music had become his career. It became a career which brought him and his family great joy, wonderful friends and long, long hours.

Inventory within the 9,000-square-foot store, 1030 Kennedy Drive, just south of the Walgreens Drug Store, is discounted at 35% off. Beginning Feb. 1, the discount will grow to 40%.

The goal is to sell as many violins, drum sets, guitars, trumpets, sound systems, amps, or any other band or orchestra instruments as they can within the next several weeks.

While neither Bill nor Nick have a particular firm closing date in mind, the goal is to shut the store doors sooner rather than later.

Both men did stress their secondary business, VIP Custom Apparel & Trophy, which offers customizing trophies, plaques, apparel, banner and sign printing for vehicles will continue.

The brothers said they enjoy the business, and life will need to be adjusted without their decades-long commitment to the store.

But the time has come, Nick, 75, said to enjoy life.

Nick, who went through open heart surgery in 2006, and Bill, a 2010 Stage 4 kidney cancer survivor, want to travel, spend time with family and friends, and wouldn’t mind a little more opportunity to golf.

STOPS ALONG THE WAY

The yellow Veronda’s Music sign along Kennedy Drive marks the latest of what have been a few homes for the music store.

Richard and his wife, Mary Alice, started out operating a music store at 204 W. Court Street in Kankakee, just outside the downtown.

In 1956, Veronda picked up his store and moved the business to 360 E. Court St., where three floors were used for sales, studios and display.

In 1962, he was once again on the move. This time it was relocated to the Meadowview Shopping Center opening. He established a store directly across the North Fifth Avenue, opening at 1055 N. Fifth Ave.

At the North Fifth location, inventory expanded and televisions and other electronics were sold. They eventually expanded into sales of clothes washers and dryers.

Televisions and stereos became a major part of the business, but Richard was missing out of the musical end.

In 1979, Richard’s business partnership with his brother, Harold, dissolved and Veronda’s relocated to its current spot along Kennedy Drive.

It was at that time when Bill, who recently had completed his marketing degree from the University of Illinois, joined the firm and brought it into the then-modern day of electronics as well as a fresh vision.

Nick, however, departed from the business and began his career as a professional musician.

The Kennedy Drive property was basically doubled in space in 1999 when a second floor was added. The top floor was devoted to office area and teaching studios.

Nick, who earned a business degree in 1971 from Bradley University, enjoyed his time on the road. He returned to his family roots in 2000 and has been tag teaming with Bill ever since.

WHY WAIT?

Often Bill has to take a pause as he reflects upon his Veronda’s Music career.

“It’s been 46 years,” he said. “That’s longer than dad’s career.”

Nick freely admitted he had been pushing Bill in the “let’s sell” direction for some time.

The harsh economic times of 2008 and 2009 left a mark on the two men. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Another body blow.

The pandemic helped rapidly usher in the new shopping trend which most now take for granted: online retail.

It’s a fight the two men admit is hard to compete against.

“Why compete and have all this inventory?” Nick asked.

Bill had his own question. He wants to travel through Europe. He wants to experience more of life while he can. His battle through cancer taught him one certainty. Life is precious. Enjoy it while you are able.

“I asked myself: What am I waiting for?” Bill said.

The music is about to stop.

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