After four decades as a hub of music in Sarnia, Picker’s Alley will be closing up shop in March.
Owner Mark Dixon is starting a new chapter and retiring after 41 years. He first opened the shop at just 24 years old.
Picker’s Alley is Sarnia’s last independent musical instrument store, and Dixon said it’s set to reopen as a Long & McQuade at 430 Exmouth St.
Dixon joined CBC’s Afternoon Drive to share more of the story with host Matt Allen. Here is some of that conversation.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Matt Allen: Not many people can say that they’ve worked their dream job for more than four decades. Take us back to 1984 where everything began. Why did you open up Pickers Alley?
Mike Dixon: Well, before that, I was a road salesperson for the Martin Guitar Company out of Scarborough, Ont. This was one of the towns that I visited on my track. I realized this …