Business
BY DACIA GARCIA
The business sells and repairs cellos, basses, violins, violas, ddles and ukuleles.
Owner Todd Sloan joined the business in 2011 and purchased it from his father in 2012.
PHOTOS BY DACIA GARCIA COMMUNITY IMPACT
Westbank String Shop strengthens orchestra legacy
For over three decades, Westbank String Shop has provided local students with a ordable options to continue their music journeys. From partnering with school orchestra programs and o ering scholarships to students, owner Todd Sloan has made it his mission to make an impact in the growing orchestra world. A family a air Sloan’s father, David W. Sloan, launched the business out of his garage before relocating to its current location on Menchaca Road. David was inspired to expand the options for kids looking to step into the classical music scene. After retiring from his role as the orchestra coordinator for Westlake High School, he took courses at New Hampshire School of Violin Making and started the business by buying German violins from pawn shops around town. In 2011, Sloan joined his father at the business and purchased the shop from him a year later when his father retired. “We’ve devoted all this time into growing and being the best value,” Sloan said. “We serve families and kids. We don’t serve teachers. We don’t serve school systems. That’s a really big part of who we are.” Learn more The space features a rent-to-own program where for 10 months 100% of a customer’s payment goes toward the full-size instrument and after this time
period, 70% of the payment will go toward the instrument until the customer owns it or buys it out. The shop also partners with the University of Texas String Project, Texas State String Project and the University of Texas jazz program. Sloan said they also underwrite all of the string work for Huston-Tillotson University. During the coronavirus pandemic, the shop lost 74% of its business and is now back to its num- bers before 2020. “I’m proud of that really,” Sloan said. “We work hard on this end to keep kids excited and keep them digging what they’re doing—hoping that just continues to grow.” The impact As customers walk into the shop they can expect to nd violins, violas and ukuleles hanging throughout the lobby with cellos and basses perched on display. Accompanying the instru- ments are an assortment of letters and drawings expressing appreciation for Sloan’s services helping students in the area. While playing a gig at The Continental Club, Sloan was approached by a former customer and student who shared how he impacted her life. “She came over with a friend and we started talking and she goes, ‘You’re the reason that I’m an orchestra director,’” Sloan said. “ She came in 10th grade to quit because she didn’t like her director and I talked her into sleeping on it.”
The business was founded by David W. Sloan in 1995 with his son purchasing the business in 2012.
The shop displays many notes from current and past students that have used their services.
WEST GATE BLVD.
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6301 Menchaca Road, Austin www.westbankstringshop.com
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
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