The Music Factory in Pearland was modeled around a simple goal: to bring people together through music. Owner Steve Townsend began giving guitar lessons in his father's general store in the 1950s before branching out on his own and opening The Music Factory in 1967, which was renamed in the summer of 1969. Townsend originally launched the business, which was located near the intersection of Walnut Street and FM 518 in Pearland, as a record store. Over time, Townsend started offering music lessons and selling guitars and music supplies in addition to selling records. "It slowly went from being an all-record store [with] a little bit of music to an all-music store and a little bit of records," General Manager Chase Townsend said. "And it grew from there." Like his father Steve, Chase began working at his dad's business from a young age. The Music Factory is very much a family business, with Chase's mother, Diana, managing the finances and his brother Steve Jr. teaching music lessons. In the 1970s, Steve rounded up a group of local musicians to help him construct the location for The Music Factory at 1411 E. Broadway St. After the new location was built, the business quickly became a haven for music makers. "It was a musicians' center, a place for everybody to come together," Chase said. "That's one thing I keep trying to purvey—that this is a meeting place to continue expanding the love of music in Pearland." The Music Factory achieves this by not only supplying instruments and accessories but also by offering music lessons. Chase and Steve Jr. teach multiple instruments to players of all skill levels. Both began their respective musical journey as guitar players, a skill they learned from their father. "Music has become more and more of a passion the more that I've taught [it]," Chase said. "It's one of those things—it's definitely ingrained in me. Not just being here and growing up here, but it's the fact that I really get a lot out of actually teaching music." The Music Factory provides a wide range of musical instruments —from ukuleles to clarinets—as well. Building and repairing instruments are also services the business offers. The store offers equipment rentals and the installation of lights, amplifiers and public address systems. "We can repair and work on any instrument," Chase said. "A lot of people think we're just a guitar shop, but we actually can rebuild and build instruments from scratch." Chase emphasizes three points in his business approach: sales, service and lessons. Ensuring customers get a quality instrument at a fair price is important so they do not get discouraged with learning how to play music, he said. Through all the store's services, Chase hopes to continue to spread his message in Pearland. "I'm here to purvey the love of music," he said. "Honestly, why else would I be doing this? Everybody sells music gear. There's a bunch of studios that teach [students]. But I want people to be passionate [about making music]." More on the horizon The Music Factory expects to add some new services to the business in the next two to three years, General Manager Chase Townsend said. Planned future additions In an effort to resume offering on-site studio recording services, Townsend said he is in the process of constructing a new recording studio behind the store. An introduction to guitar group class began in early March as a way to save customers money. Townsend said he plans on hosting a summer camp to reach even more students. To address a lack of live music venues in Pearland, Townsend said he hopes to build a stage for concerts behind the store within the next three years. The venue will be designed in the hopes of eventually hosting town-sized music festivals. The Music Factory 1411 E. Broadway St., Pearland 281-482-0100 www.themusicfactorytx.com Hours: Mon. and Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tue.-Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.