For over three decades Westbank String Shop has provided local students with affordable options to continue their music journeys. From partnering with school orchestra programs and offering scholarships to students, owner Todd Sloan has made it his mission to make an impact in the growing orchestra world.

A family affair

Sloan’s father, David W. Sloan, launched the business out of his garage before relocating to its current location on Menchaca Road. David was inspired to expand the options for kids looking to step into the classical music scene.

After retiring from his role as the orchestra coordinator for Westlake High School, he took courses at New Hampshire School of Violin Making and started the business by buying German violins from pawn shops around town.In 2011, Sloan joined his father at the business and purchased the shop from him a year later when his father retired.

“We've devoted all this time into growing and being the best value,” Sloan said. “We serve families and kids. We don't serve teachers. We don't serve school systems. That's a really big part of who we are.”

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The space features a rent-to-own program where for 10 months 100% of a customer's payment goes toward the full-size instrument and after this time period, 70% of the payment will go toward the instrument until the customer owns it or buys it out.

The shop also partners with the University of Texas String Project, Texas State String Project and the University of Texas jazz program. Sloan said they also underwrite all of the string work for Huston-Tillotson University.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the shop lost 74% of its business and is now back to its numbers before 2020.

“I'm proud of that really,” Sloan said. “We work hard on this end to keep kids excited and keep them digging what they're doing—hoping that that just continues to grow.”The impact

As customers walk into the shop they can expect to find violins, violas and ukuleles hanging throughout the lobby with cellos and basses perched on display.

Accompanying the instruments are an assortment of letters and drawings expressing appreciation for Sloan’s services helping students in the area.

While playing a gig at The Continental Club, Sloan was approached by a former customer and student who shared how he impacted her life.

“She came over with a friend and we started talking and she goes, ‘You're the reason that I'm an orchestra director,’” Sloan said. “She goes, ‘This is your canvas, this is your paint brush. If you can't paint, it doesn't matter how good your canvas is.’ This is one of my little 'Todd-isms.' She came in 10th grade to quit because she didn't like her director and I talked her into sleeping on it.”

When Sloan's father first launched the business, he recited several phrases to students which became recognized as 'Doc-isms.' Since taking over the shop, Sloan has made his own phrases called 'Todd-isms.' Some more of Sloan's 'Todd-isms' include:

• “Violins don’t bounce.”
• “It doesn’t play itself. If you practice every day, you get better. If you don’t, you won’t.”
• “You got to pay [your parent] back. Every time you put the bow on the strings, you’re making a payment.”

• 6301 Menchaca Road, Austin
• www.westbankstringshop.com