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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2018

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ISU WOMEN SWEEP PAIR OF MVC FOES IN WEEKEND MATCHES Vol. 130 / No. 38

Rauner in Normal

Governor tours DESTIHL Brewery with fellow lawmakers Saturday, praises town’s economic ANDREW DOUGHERTY | Political Reporter | @addough

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Natalie Stuckslager | Vidette Photo Editor

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and DESTIHL CEO Matt Potts take a tour around the seven-month old brewery Saturday located at 1200 Greenbriar Drive in Normal. Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington), Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) were there as well.

ov. Bruce Rauner toured the DESTIHL Brewery Saturday in Normal before taking questions. Rauner greeted local residents who were surprised to see the highest elected official in Illinois. He took photos and spoke with the patrons as he entered the dining room. “I’m very excited to be here. I’ve had friends telling me to come up from Springfield and take a tour of this facility, and now I see why,” he said. “What a beautiful and incredible facility this DESTIHL Brewery is.” The brewery is located at 1200 Greenbriar Drive. The governor was joined by DESTIHL CEO Matt Potts, state Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), state Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) and Sen. Minority Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). “His success is what I would call our states’ number one sales person and has not only helped bring in policies that have allowed

Guitar World plays its last note Music store has its swan song after nearly 50 years MIKE SMITH News Reporter | @Agora_180

Musical instrument store Guitar World, located in Uptown Normal, closed its doors for good Thursday after nearly 50 years. The shop on 129 E. Beaufort St. prospered for several years, but financial situations changed and the store could no longer support itself. Long-time owner Jim Bland said there were many reasons for the close, including the change in market, lack of revenue and rising expenses. However, online sales may have had the most impact on the store’s income. “There’s a lot of kids that are not from this area,” Bland said. “They are all used to shopping online or from where they live.” Online sales do not contribute to local sales tax, and with the rise of online shopping, sales

Michelle Carrico | Vidette Photographer

Uptown Normal’s Guitar World closed on Friday after nearly five decades in business. Owner Jim Bland said there were several contributing factors such as lack of revenue and online shopping. tax revenue is shrinking. Guitar World opened its doors in 1970. Back then, the store was called Ax-In-Hand. In 2008, the store moved to its final location in Uptown Normal, after previously

being located at 105 N. Broadway Ave. in Normal. Other musical instrument shops in Bloomington-Normal include The Music Shoppe, Kidder Music and Carl’s Pro Band.

this but bring things like Brandt Industries, Rivian Motors and other things,” Bill Brady said. Rauner began by praising the deregulation efforts his administration has taken so that businesses like the brewery are not held back from regulation. “America is built by entrepreneurs and people taking a risk by putting their own capital, time and hard work to start a business and it often fails,” he said. “But that risk-taking of entrepreneurship is what has created the most dynamic economy in the world here in America and has created economic prosperity for all Americans.” Rauner noted how Potts was able to start up his own business despite possible risks, and “now [he] has one of the most famous, world-acknowledged beers that is sold around the world and exporting good jobs around America.” see RAUNER page 3

Although the store is closed, Bland said he enjoyed the time he had with the shop. His favorite thing about working there: the people. “Ever since we announced our closing, there has been a group of people that have come by or sent emails or Facebook messages,” he said. “Our philosophy has always been, ‘If you let us teach you the guitar, you’re going to have fun,’” Bland said. “We don’t try to make you a rockstar or a classical performer or concert person; we want you to have fun playing the instrument and playing the music.” As someone who has been teaching others to play music, the 72-year-old Vietnam veteran has always had an appreciation for the craft. He began teaching others when a local shop hired him at 16. “My teacher said she’d pay me to work at the store, and at that age, you’re thinking, ‘Pay me? Sure,’” he said. Bland wants to keep making music with Velvet Groove, his band. He also plans on working with his lighting company and spending more time with his wife and children. “This is the first Saturday I’ve been off that wasn’t for a holiday in about 50 years or so,” he said.


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