West L.A. Music Closes, Acquired by Guitar Center
Following a liquidation sale in early August, West L.A. Music – which had served the Los Angeles area since 1966 – has closed.
Unsold inventory was acquired by Guitar Center, which also took on a number of former West L.A. Music staff. While the Santa Monica Blvd. location is no longer in operation, it’s noted on www.westlamusic.com that, “Our empolyees will continue to serve you with Guitar Center’s vast inventory” with directions then posted to the nearest GC.
A major catalyst for the decision to cease operations was the unexpected May 5 passing of longtime industry figure Mark Spiwak, who had worked at West L.A. Music since the late ‘70s and was the operation’s general manager at the time of his death. Company founder and president Don Griffin also cited recent developments in his personal life (he recently married), as well as construction on nearby 405 Freeway, which had impacted walk-in business negatively as reasons behind the decision.
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