The Real Stairway to Heaven

| 31 March 2009

Truthfully, it isn’t just the gear that makes Lightning Joe’s impressive, it’s the service too. Family owned and operated quite literally by “Lightning Joe” himself, his wife Marelene, son Joseph, and daughter Savanna, this store epitomizes your classic Ma & Pop. They don’t simply sell the stuff either; Joe himself repairs and sets up guitars. When asked what he thinks makes Lightning Joe’s stand out among other local music shops, Joe said, “We’re dedicated; we’re strictly a guitar shop. Another thing is we’re very much concerned with the person after they leave our store…we genuinely care about what happens to them out on the road, in their local band, or whatever they’re doing.”

One of the most interesting things about Lightning Joe’s is the Stairway to Heaven, located on the third floor, which has acted as a musician community center since 2002. Up the stairs customers will find an elaborate and almost psychedelic mural painted by Joe himself along with the help of friend Gerry Kahrs. Other delights include (ready for this?) an open-mic stage, a large bulletin board with local music info, the Purple Haze café serving complementary coffee, Studios 51 and 50, where guitar lessons are given, the Flat Five and Dime Gift Shop, featuring gifts for those who like to rock, the Magic Mystery Theatre, showing great music flicks daily, and finally the Houses of the Holy Guitar Museum where Joe shows off his most cherished. Now I’m no expert, but that’s a whole lot of stuff in one building. 

This particular guitar heaven has just about everything, and a good vibe to boot. Support local music! And as Lightning Joe would say, “Pic long and prosper.”