New store opens on Farnsworth Avenue
By:Vanessa S. Holt
BORDENTOWN CITY Many people wonder if there is a key to success; the Mozart Piano Company believes there are 88.
The new store at 144 Farnsworth Ave. specializes in used pianos, which owner Al Kotsch rebuilds or repairs and resells.
Previously located in Hamilton Township, the Mozart Piano Company is also known as the Bordentown Piano Company at its new location.
Mr. Kotsch, 47, moved his piano business to Bordentown because he loves the town, the friendly atmosphere, and the dogs.
"I love this town," said Mr. Kotsch. "People are very nice here; everyone seems to work together."
Bordentown also is a great town for animal lovers, he said.
Mr. Kotsch, a Jacobstown resident, has four dogs of his own and keeps dog biscuits handy near the door for anyone walking a dog past the store whose pet wants to stop and bark hello.
A new piano can be a huge investment, with prices usually starting at around $3,000. That can be prohibitively expensive for new pianists or families looking to get a child to learn an instrument, said Mr. Kotsch.
Used pianos are more affordable, starting at $1,000, and are perfect for beginner as well as advanced students, he said.
Among the pianos currently in the showroom are instruments by Kawai, Baldwin, Young Chang and other well-known brands.
Mr. Kotsch also tunes pianos and is looking to expand the store’s offering in music lessons.
Voice, guitar and piano lessons are given by instructor Julie Wilson and, although classes are currently booked, they are hoping to add more teachers and instruments in the future.
"We don’t plan to be big," said Mr. Kotsch.
He is particularly interested in helping new students find the right piano and become comfortable with the instrument.
Learning an instrument in childhood can be a valuable asset throughout life, said Mr. Kotsch, who began playing the piano at age 4.
"If more kids had access to a (piano) keyboard than a computer keyboard, they’d be much further ahead," he said. "It gives you a certain discipline."
Parents play an active role in the learning process, ensuring that the child keeps up his or her practice schedule, he said. Learning to play the piano as a first instrument also paves the way for future learning, providing many of the basics in reading music and learning music theory.
Pianos sold at the Bordentown store all include a warranty, usually for one year. Pianos have a long life span and generally begin to require maintenance after 30 or 40 years, he said.
Mr. Kotsch previously owned a company in Trenton that provided pianos to celebrities including Donald and Ivana Trump, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis at gigs in Atlantic City, but said he is more interested in working in a small-town environment now.
He performs every Friday night at Conti’s Ristorante, 136 Farnsworth Ave., and he raves about all the local restaurants.
"This town is so up-and-coming," he said. "I’ve never felt more at home than I do here."
The Bordentown Piano Company is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment. For more information call 298-9922.