- Business Name: Elderly Instruments
- Location: Lansing, Michigan
Update: Elderly Instruments has been named the grand prize winner of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's America’s Top Small Business Awards! Congratulations to the Elderly Instruments team!
Elderly Instruments has been named the Great Lakes regional finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's America’s Top Small Business Awards.
In 1972, a small shop by the name of Elderly Instruments first opened its doors to the community of Lansing, Michigan. The vision of founders Stan Werbin and Sharon McInturff was simple: a music store where all people, regardless of their background or musical experience, could play and purchase affordable, quality fretted instruments and accessories at great prices.
In the five decades since it opened, Elderly Instruments has become a haven for lovers of fretted instruments, from brand-new guitars to vintage mandolins and everything in between. But this business does more than just buy, sell, and trade instruments. Whether you're a budding artist or a seasoned pro searching for your next instrument, or in need of repair services, the business stands ready to help any musician who walks through its doors. In fact, its founders' dream was for their shop to serve as a “conservator of musical heritage.”
In 2022, the business was passed down to Werbin’s daughter Lillian, who continues to run the establishment with the same passion and dedication as her father. With a staff of nearly 40 full-time employees and a named carved out for itself in its local community, Elderly Instruments has proven it has what it takes to survive through its second generation of leadership and beyond.
3 things that made Elderly Instruments a finalist for America's Top Small Business:
It’s a second-generation family-owned business with deeply rooted core values
Elderly Instruments, and by extension, the Werbin family legacy, stands as a testament to the power of a strong family business vision. Embracing her father's vision of protecting musical traditions, Lillian Werbin has transformed Elderly Instruments into a sanctuary for musicians across generations and backgrounds. Through her inspired, forward-thinking leadership, Elderly Instruments honors the past while embracing the future of music and the up-and-coming artists that will shape it.
Elderly Instruments has also worked with its employees to establish core values to guide its operations and interactions. These values, which serve as the foundation for all company decisions and behaviors, are to be knowledgeable, community-focused, enthusiastic, authentic, resilient, and results-oriented. By adhering to these values, Elderly Instruments has fostered a collaborative and passionate atmosphere that has not only strengthened its commitment to excellence and inclusivity but also led to a more diverse leadership team.
Elderly Instruments has also worked with its employees to establish core values to guide its operations and interactions. These values, which serve as the foundation for all company decisions and behaviors, are to be knowledgeable, community-focused, enthusiastic, authentic, resilient, and results-oriented.
It makes the joy of music accessible to everyone
Elderly Instruments is more than just a music store — it's a symphony of community, heritage, and inclusion. The store has created a welcoming ethos that embraces musicians from every walk of life.
Customers who enter the store are encouraged to touch, play, and immerse themselves in the variety of instruments on the showroom floor. This hands-on, trust-based approach has made Elderly Instruments a place where the joy of music is accessible to all.
Further proof of this reputation is Elderly Instruments’ role in revitalizing Old Town Lansing. During a period of challenges for the neighborhood, Elderly Instruments not only set up shop but expanded, drawing music aficionados from across the world and bolstering tourism in Michigan's capital. This influx of visitors in turn has encouraged growth for other local establishments.
Elderly Instruments has been recognized by both Michigan State Representatives and the City of Lansing's Mayor for its dedication to its community, which stands as proof of its broader mission of making music accessible to all people.
It supports diversity and inclusion in the local Lansing music scene and on the national stage
In her role as President, Lillian Werbin has ensured that Elderly Instruments serves as a champion of a diverse and inclusive music scene. The business actively supports both national and local nonprofit initiatives that lift the voices of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color within the bluegrass genre. The company also fosters musical growth through events like Mighty Uke Day and by its involvement in initiatives such as the Lansing Area Ukulele Group (LAUGH), which was co-founded by Elderly Instruments.
The business encourages its staff to actively participate in local events, and that dedication to community engagement was showcased during Elderly Instruments’ 50th anniversary celebration in 2022. The company threw a block party as a gesture of gratitude to the community that has been instrumental in their success. It launched exclusive anniversary merchandise and involved employees in the festivities, which fostered a sense of staff pride and camaraderie that directly enhanced the customer experience. The limited-edition anniversary collectibles produced for the celebration not only boosted physical and online sales but also became emblematic of the company's storied 50-year journey as a Lansing mainstay.
Elderly Instruments’ unwavering dedication to musicians of all stripes has deepened its bond with loyal customers and attracted newcomers, further bolstering its reputation in its local community and beyond.
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