LAUNCH

Neighborhood residents can’t miss Charley’s Guitar Shop, a staple in the Dallas guitar scene since 1976. For more than 30 years, the last 14 at the Royal and Grissom site, Charley Wirz and his successors have been repairing guitars, teaching classes and providing customer service to vintage guitar enthusiasts from throughout the world. Wirz knew that “vintage” pieces were useable, not just junk. Two years after opening the shop, he had an idea: a show just for vintage guitars based on other collectible shows he had attended. The show became an annual event that continued after Charley’s death in 1985; it’s now known as The Dallas International Guitar Festival, one of the largest guitar shows in the United States. We spoke with STEVEN COOPER, a part-time salesman at Charley’s and lead guitarist for alt country/ Americana band Black Top Gypsy.

What makes the shop unique?

Charley was a former schoolteacher and bartender, and opened his shop in 1976 as a spot for musicians to go and “be”. He wanted his shop to be a home away from home for all musicians — particularly traveling musicians. The shop is a place where guitarists and vintage buyers can sit and talk about life and music, whether they are making a relaxing stop while they are on the road or are waiting for a repair. We also have strings, picks and amplifiers for sale pretty much anything a guitar player might need or want to buy.