A music staple in the city of Turlock since the 1940s will be closing its doors later this year.
Hendrickson’s Turlock Music at 223 N. Center St. is planning to close by the end of May after 78 years in business. Brothers and co-owners Clyde Hendrickson and Ivan Douglas have sold the nearly century-old building as they prepare for retirement, and now must try to sell as many products as possible in the coming weeks.
“We just came to the conclusion that this is something we can’t keep doing anymore,” Douglas said. “There’s been a lot of fun years, but it’s just time.”
The duo will have their work cut out for them, as there are hundreds of guitars, tens of dozens of violins and amplifiers and a handful of pianos, brass and drum kits scattered across the building floor and on display on the walls. Douglas explained that they will have to put products in storage if they can’t sell them, which will cost a lot of time and money.
To try to help alleviate labor that will come with the closure, products are listed on sale for as much as 50 percent off.
“We have a good stock right now,” said Leah Williams, the daughter of Clyde and granddaughter of original owners Ivan and Eleanor Hendrickson. “There are great deals going on right now, and it would be very smart for people to take advantage of it because it's the one-time opportunity.”
Ivan Hendrickson was originally from the small farming community of Trent, South Dakota. When World War II commenced, he moved to California to build liberty ships in Oakland. After the war, Hendrickson, after meeting and marrying Eleanor, came to Turlock in 1946.
Why Turlock? It was the only town he could find that was 88 feet above sea level. And why did his new home have to be at 88 feet in elevation? Well, because that’s the same number of keys on a piano.
His love of music was evident.
When the music store first opened in 1946, it originally only sold violins, as it was the most popular instrument of the era. The instruments changed as the times (and the culture) did, quickly expanding to just about anything that makes noise.
Over the years, Hendrickson’s has helped supply bands and the music departments of local schools. Sharing experiences with others, especially those new to music, is what Douglas said he will remember most.
“I’ll remember the people,” he said. “We got to work with some amazing teachers and some amazing students over the years. People wanting to learn and share the love of music… Music is something that stays with you. You don't have to be good. That's the thing. Because what’s the point of it if it’s about how good you are? If it’s about how good you are, then you're never good enough. It should be fun.
“And not just them,” Douglas continued. “But we were able to meet so many musicians and people in the music business, like the business managers and guitar manufacturers. There’s just so much history here. I don’t have just one memory, I have countless memories.”
Williams shared similar sentiments, as the shop is where she spent many days with her family and friends.
“So many memories,” she said. “And then we have to consider how many people the business has impacted in the community as well. I'm getting a really good outreach on social media from people saying, ‘Oh, I bought my guitar there over 30 years ago.’ It's bittersweet for sure.”
Hendrickson’s is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
