Perhaps it's not fair to state it this way, but this one seems to be another victim of the planned Nicollet condos. It's Maurice Ravel's "Gaspard de la Nuit" on the side of what used to be the downtown headquarters of Schmitt Music. The company dates to 1896, although this mural was painted in the 1970s. Today the building is an apparently empty sales office for the condos, but I remember going to the old store with my music-teacher parents when I was a kid. In my child's memory it was maze-like and chocked full of sheet music, instruments and accessories.These days you need a memory that stretches back a few years to know what used to be here at 88 S. 10th St.
I have fond memories of this building too! I bought my piano here in 1980. I remember going up and down a cargo type elevator (I think) trying different pianos on different floors. I finally settled on a used upright Steinway, which I still own and treasure. I also remember that this store had a family-like atmosphere. I don't even think we paid interest on the piano–just paid it off a little at a time over 12 months.
ReplyDelete