BUSINESS FEATURE Katy Violin Shop Despite setbacks, strings-focused store continues to serve community K aty Violin Shop owner Frank Li did not grow up playing an instrument in his home country of China. However, the music shop owner has always held a passion and
“WHEN THESE KINDS OF EVENTS HAPPEN, I NEVER GIVE UP HOPE. I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE.”
BY HUNTER MARROW
FRANK LI, KATY VIOLIN SHOP OWNER
with robust music programs, Li saw an opportunity for a successful music store and opened Katy Violin Shop. The music store o ers instrument sales for violins, violas, cellos and string basses, along with rentals, instrument accessories, sheet music, repair services and private lessons, Li said. The shop has had its share of challenges, however, including in August 2017, when Hurricane Harvey moved into the Houston area and caused massive water damage to homes and businesses across the region. Katy Violin Shop was not spared. Neither Li nor the rest of the music shop sta was able to access the store for two weeks because of 2-3 feet of standing water. The shop’s entire instrument inventory ended up ruined. Still, the music shop persevered. The shop was forced to close and move to a neighboring vacant space for several months during the renovation process. Once com- plete, the Katy Violin returned to its original location, Li said. That same perseverance showed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, when schools were closed and the shop needed to pivot to virtual lessons. Through it all, Li remained optimistic. “When these kinds of events happen, I never give up hope,” he said. “I always look forward to the future.”
Frank Li has owned Katy Violin Shop for the last eight years.
PHOTOS BY HUNTER MARROW COMMUNITY IMPACT
appreciation for music, and when Li moved to the United States in 2001, that passion never faded. It did not fade in 2006 when Li moved to the Dallas area, and it did not fade in the period after when Li served as a consultant for major oil companies. It was not until 2010, as Li’s children grew older, that his passion and love for music manifested into the beginnings of what eventually became the Katy Violin Shop. “When my kids were 5-6 years old, I was trying to nd an instrument for them to play,” Li said. Eventually, Li landed on string instruments, but a nancial challenge arose from that decision: having to buy bigger instruments as his children grew older, ranging from the 1/4 violins, which are about 19 inches long with bows at about 22.5 inches, recommended for children ages 6-7, all the way up to the full-size violins for kids age 12 and older. As a result, Li opened up a violin-, viola-, cello- and bass-focused store in Dallas, warehousing instru- ments sourced from China out of his garage. Li and his family eventually moved to Fulshear in 2013. In 2014, given strong school districts in the area
The music store sells, rents and repairs instruments as well as o ers private lessons.
Despite setbacks in the form of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020, Katy Violin Shop has managed to endure and thrive since its opening in 2014. WEATHERING THE STORM
2001: Frank Li moves from China to United States 2010: Li opens string-focused shop in Dallas 2013: Li and family move to Fulshear 2014: Li opens Katy Violin Shop
Aug. 2017: Hurricane Harvey oods the shop; instrument inventory is lost; shop temporarily relocates
March 2018: Katy Violin Shop reopens in old space End of 2019: Li opens new violin shop in Tomball March 2020: COVID-19 spreads across U.S.; school music programs shut down
Katy Violin Shop 5131 S. Fry Road, Ste. 500, Katy 281-755-4169 www.katyviolinshop.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sun.
N
SAVE 20%
NOV 14-DEC 31
TWIN LIQUORS
IN-STORE & ONLINE
SCAN TO SHOP OUR CURRENT SPECIALS
TWINLIQUORS.COM
SALE
*Holiday Wine Sale runs 11/14/2022-12/31/2022. Discount applies to six or more bottles of wine. Sale items can be shopped in-store and online at www.twinliquors.com. Selection varies by store. Items and prices subject to change without notice. No further discount on Sale Items, Final Few, or Closeouts. Some exclusions apply. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
30
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook