Watermelon Music asks for your help

Though it makes me very uncomfortable to do so, I need to ask the community for help. When we moved Watermelon Music from our downtown location of 20+ years to our current location at Lake & Covell Blvds in 2017, I knew there were risks (less foot traffic, less interaction with other businesses, no landlord to call when the roof leaks, etc), but continue to believe that the advantages and potential at this new site far outweigh these risks. Our new location has allowed us to continue selling, renting, repairing and teaching, while providing opportunities for new sources of revenue including rent and ticket income from our performance venue, The Melon Ball.

Who would have guessed that a global pandemic would wreak havoc on the best-laid plans? During 2020 and 2021 nearly every aspect of the business was hit - our showroom was closed to the public for a time; we were unable to provide in-person lessons and our studios were shuttered; we could schedule no performances or recitals in our venue; the closing of schools meant virtually no instrument rentals to students and their families. Add to all this the near impossibility of getting sellable product from manufacturers and huge increases in freight/shipping charges.

I did my best to remain positive and focus on things we COULD do. We brought in more second-hand and vintage inventory; offered free local delivery for phone and web orders; recorded and released virtual concerts and open mic nights; modified our hours of operation; concentrated on our online presence when customers could not come in the store; and sought out and applied for every kind of state and federal assistance available.

Ultimately, while we weathered the worst of the pandemic, the store was left with debt that I have been trying unsuccessfully to pay off for the last year. We are roughly one complete month behind in our bills at this point, amounting to just over 100k. I took out two loans during the pandemic to pay off creditors and other liabilities and have since paid one off. I ran our store credit card up and have been trying to pay it down. Thankfully, the store had 20+ years of excellent credit with our vendors, who have been mostly understanding and sympathetic about our situation, but I am reluctant to order more inventory and rack up new bills when I still have so many unpaid. Late fees, interest and a downgraded credit score contribute to the anxiety.

From day one, we always wanted Watermelon Music to be a valued part of the local community - when we moved the store from downtown to west Davis we were stunned and humbled by the number of people who volunteered time and effort to help us move. We have done everything we can to support not just budding and experienced musicians, but local non-profits, schools, churches and synagogues, sports teams, etc. and would like to continue to do so for years to come.

You can help us in three ways:

1. If you are a musician, please consider shopping at our store. Not just for large instrument purchases, but for reeds, strings, picks, music - it all adds up and helps pay our bills.

2. Whether you are a musician or not, please come to our shows and events. Tickets help support the artists, but also bring revenue and traffic to the store.

3. Consider donating to this GoFundMe if you are able.

--Jeff Simons, Owner

Watermelon Music - Davis