Grove City Messenger - September 4th, 2022

PAGE 10 - GROVE CITY LIVING - September 4, 2022
www.columbusmessenger.com
Strummin’ Strings at Jimmy Ray Guitars
Heart, soul, and guitars ready to rockand-roll,
Jimmy Ray Guitars is quickly becoming
the area’s go-to for all things
guitars.
Owner Jimmy Ray turned his lifelong
love of music and passion for guitars into a
Grove City shop preparing to celebrate its
first anniversary. With a strong personal
collection of guitars, Jimmy sought out and
bought other collections to build his shop inventory.
Traveling both near and far for
these great finds, Jimmy Ray has enjoyed
sharing his passion for music and guitars to
the local community.
The Business
Seeing a guitar-shaped hole in the business
scene of Grove City, Jimmy brought his
years of entrepreneurial experience and
combined it with his passion for guitars and
desire to serve the central Ohio community.
“I want to be the one people come to,” he
said.
Doors opened last September with a
grand opening celebration.
Jimmy said opening, owning, and operating
a business has been a humbling experience
to new degrees. This brought him to
consider big-ticket questions such as “why
Family Owned and Operated Since 1963
For Pizza Perfection
“Old world cooking with
new world service”
4011 Front Street
Grove City, Ohio 43123
875-2700
www.zamarellispizzapalace.com
Tues.-Wed.-Thurs_______4:00 to 12:00
Fri. -Sat._______________4:00 to 1:00
Sunday_______________4:30 to 10:30
CATERING
AVAILABLE
Quick Repsonse Code
Jimmy Ray Guitars is located at 3558 Broadway Grove City.
do you do this?”, “why do you keep doing it?”
and “are you happy doing it?”
Given the number of times Jimmy says
he loves what he does, he’s quite happy. And
it shows in his customer service. He jokes
with his customers, listens to them when
they are having a challenge and hands them
a guitar when there is something in their
soul they just need to get out. People stop in
throughout the week, just to say “Hi” and
soak in some of his charm.
The Experience
“I want it to be your home away from
home,” said Jimmy when asked why this
shop was so important to him to open in
Grove City.
Jimmy thrives on making people feel
welcome to the point of it being like home.
Customers who know their way around a
guitar add to the feel and make it sound like
home, too. And it’s not just locals, he’s had
customers come from neighboring counties
and even as far away as Cincinnati.
But the welcoming environment is just
one part. Jimmy also thrives on helping people
through guitars, whether that’s working
with a seasoned musician or introducing the
instrument to someone for the first time.
Unlike past business experience, including
a tattoo parlor and a home improvement
business, there’s more decision-making instore
in selecting a guitar. He makes it
about the one-on-one experience and help to
find ‘the one’ guitar that is the best fit for a
person, not unlike finding the right pair of
pants.
“I give my 100 percent to everyone who
walks in the door.”
Reviews like this make is all work while
according to Jimmy Ray.
Not every day are Google Reviews considered
“must read”, but Jimmy Ray’s are.
It’s clear from the continuous praise that
this shop is a much needed and appreciated
piece of the city.
“This guy keeps his customers happy. He
did some repairs for me and saved me from
spending too much money somewhere else.
He’s also a great dude!”
“I went into
Jimmy’s today
with several questions
and had the
pleasure of dealing
with the gentleman
named
Jimmy. He had answers
to every
question I had as
well as he builds
beautiful guitars.
He assisted me
personally in finding the right guitar for me
and for an amazing price. I will no longer go
to any music store other than Jimmy’s.
Thank you for the amazing customer service
and assistance.”
Play, Tune, Clean
While guitars in the shop come from a little
bit of anywhere and everywhere as
Jimmy seeks out sales, he does have guitars
he’s custom built. In many cases, this is to
bring the original instrument to its full potential.
He said “play, tune, clean” is a constant
to keep them in their best condition
possible.
This summer, Jimmy Ray’s held its first
all-day Saturday sale with 10 percent off of
guitars with a great turnout. Jimmy plans
to repeat the sale with some form of frequency
in an effort to continue with his intention
to keep guitar ownership affordable.
Gift certificates are also available, which
is a great option for family members to give
to the aspiring, or avid, guitar player so
they can select something themselves.
As for what comes next as year one rolls
into year two, Jimmy said he’ll keep on
doing what he’s doing and where he’s doing
it.
“I know I’m in the right spot. I know I’m
doing what I’m needed to do.”
Ready to find your sound at Jimmy Ray’s
Guitars? Visit the store located at: 3558
Broadway Grove City, near Jolly Pirate
Donuts.
Find them online: jimmyrayguitars.com