When people come to our shop, we often get asked about how we all met, why we decided to open a quirky little guitar shop, and, perhaps most intriguingly, why we chose a farm out in the sticks. Well, we've decided to share our story with you—read on for a glimpse behind the scenes!
How The Three Of Us Met It all started back in college. Ben and I (Dan) were both studying music, and our first conversation took place in the college cafeteria, sparked by a mutual attraction to a girl who had just walked in. I soon realised that, she was an ex-girlfriend of mine from school! This comical connection sparked a friendship, and we soon found ourselves forming a band together—The Stacks. I was the songwriter and frontman, and Ben was the lead guitarist, writer and backing vocalist.
After college, The Stacks played for a while, but like all good things, it eventually came to an end. However, our friendship and collaborative spirit didn't fade. We kept working on various projects, from recording sessions to busking our way around Europe in a tiny converted van.
Eventually, Ben and I both ended up working as delivery drivers for the same company, and it was here that we met Bruce. Bruce was also a music enthusiast, songwriter and a talented guitarist/ pianist. We quickly became great friends, sharing a passion for music. Time passed, and we all naturally followed our own paths—Ben focused on his gigging and playing, Bruce started his own business and focused on family life, and I went off traveling and exploring the world. None of us stopped playing guitar in one form or another...
The Birth of The Woodshed Idea
Years later, Bruce and I reconnected over our mutual love of converted camper vehicles (I had just bought one, and Bruce was working on one). After chatting on Facebook, I was invited to leave my delivery job at the time and to go and work with Bruce.
It was during this time that Bruce planted the seed for The Woodshed. With his entrepreneurial mindset and childhood dream, he pitched the idea of starting a guitar shop. I was taken by the idea and immediately jumped on board, and we began brainstorming. With my self-taught skills in online marketing, photography, and graphic design, and Bruce's extensive knowledge of the guitar world, things started moving fast!
It only felt right to bring Ben in for this venture. Ben had been honing his skills in guitar servicing, setup, and repair and was becoming the go-to guy for musicians in his gigging circle. We invited him to join the team, and with his expertise, The Woodshed gained a new dimension—services and repairs!
Finding Our Space
Then, as if the stars aligned, a run-down barn across from our unit became available. It was far from perfect—grubby, no insulation, and a bit of a mess—but it had exposed beams, rustic charm, and the potential we were looking for. We jumped on it, and it was soon ours.
During quieter times at work, we spent hours renovating the barn, turning it into the welcoming space we have today. We also started working on the website, creating social media accounts, and spreading the word about what we were up to. The response on social media blew us away, which only pushed us to work harder and faster!
Soon enough, we were ready to open our doors! We pooled our guitar collections together, bought more stock, and set a date: March 9th, 2024. When opening day arrived, nearly 100 people came through the doors! We were overwhelmed by the support and the sense of community we felt. Finally, there was a place where people could drop in, chat about music, try guitars in a relaxed, cosy atmosphere.
Our Mission
From that first day, we've made it our mission to stay true to the values that make The Woodshed unique. We focus on offering quality new and second-hand instruments, providing personal, no-pressure service, and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for players of all levels. Plus, we always offer complimentary hot beverages to visitors!
How the shop looks now!
Most Importantly, Thanks To The Shed Heads!
It's apparent that we've filled a void. We couldn't have done this without the amazing support of our customers—our “Shed Heads.” Thank you for helping us turn this dream into a reality. Here's to many more years of music, friendship, and guitars!
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