Small Business Spotlight: Case's Music
Amidst the bustling area of Queen St. lies Case's Music where musical talents are being tended to by an array of talented musicians with diverse backgrounds.
Article by Meig Campbell
Case’s Music storefront display at 636 Queen Street East.
"If you have ever been to Case's in general, it's basically what the inside of my brain looks like," the co-owner of Case's Music says with a laugh. Jake Rendall currently co-owns the music academy with Carrie Suriano, where they offer private music instruction, instruments for sale for those longing to acquire newfound skills, and a large repair shop for any instrument that needs mending. Case's Music cultivates the musical talents of those in Sault Ste Marie with the help of their teachers whose expertise ranges from voice to instruments like the violin, piano, and guitar. Founded by Mike Case, Case's Music was established as a place to refine musical talents within the Sault Ste. Marie area in the 1990s.
"Mike Case was a well-known musician and an overall good guy. Everybody around could tell you a story about Mike Case," Rendell says about Case's founder.
Mike Case eventually sold the store in the mid-2000s to current co-owner, Carrie Suriano. Jake Rendall joined the team in 2012 and incorporated his own music repair shop into Case's Music, expanding what Case's provides to the community whilst maintaining its musical foundations. While professionalism is surely exhibited in music lessons at Case's, its co-owners and teachers want to ensure that enjoyment is also had by their large groups of students, each one, Rendell exclaims, is unique and excited by the musical teachings Case's Music gives them. All of this contributes to Case's approach to achieving success: treating people like people. Rendell explains it's not about what you can sell to someone but listening to what someone's goals are in terms of music exploration.
"I teach, I fix, I sell. Every aspect I have studied is a part of that business. And they all feed off each other, support each other, and grow with each other, it's definitely what my brain looks like from the inside,” Rendell, who has a background in music education and brass and woodwind repair, explains.
Jake Rendell, co-owner. Learn more about Jake: https://casesmusic.ca/teacher/jake-rendell/
Such background is certainly found in Case's as they have become a one stop-shop for any blossoming or intermediate musician, all the while helping the high school music programs achieve longevity by offering their services.
Case's Music continues to serve its original purpose by providing lessons to a community that has an innate interest in both music and buying locally- qualities that Case's Music proudly adorns. And while the community has helped Case's expand its business, the community has also helped Case's develop its own hub where people from all walks of life come together for the same music-based purpose.
"We wouldn't be here now without the support we got from the community. I wouldn't be anywhere else," Rendell jovially expresses. And in turn, it seems that the community wouldn't want Case's to be anywhere else as they continue to nurture the musical talents in Sault Ste Marie.
Shop instruments online here: https://casesmusic.ca/shop/
To set up a lesson, instrument repair, or more information check out their website and social media!