'I love what I do': Halifax Folklore Centre marks half a century in business
A folklore music shop in downtown Halifax, N.S. is marking a big milestone, with no plans to slow down anytime soon.
Tom and Marla Dorward opened the Halifax Folklore Centre in 1971 and, this year, the pair are marking 50 years in business.
"Well, it's hard to believe that half a century has gone by," said Tom Dorward. "We've been in this location for 48 years and then had two years at a building across the street, which no longer exists."
According to Tom, many of the buildings that surrounded the music shop five decades ago are no longer there – a testament, he says, to the importance of music to those in the area.
"The Keltic background, people here like to play music, not just listen to music," said Tom.
The music shop, which is located in a 150-year-old Victorian home, specializes in stringed music instruments. Tom says he has done his best to keep the shop looking like an original 1900s music store.
Photo courtesy: halifaxfolklorecentre.ca
"If I showed you a picture of the interior of a music store in the 1900s, it wouldn't look a lot different than our store does today," said Tom.
After operating for half a century, Tom says he's worked with three generations of customers.
Even well-known musician Joel Plaskett has been in-and-out of the shop over the years.
"Our original customers were college students, a lot of them, back in 1971. Then they got married, had kids, and these kids came of age at 10, 11, 12 and started playing guitar. And they became our customers, like Joel Plaskett," explained Tom.
Tom says Plaskett's father was one of the shops first customers in the 1970s. It didn't take long until Joel himself was making appearances at the store.
"And of course, then Joel became very well-known and now Joel has kids who will be our customers as well. So, when you're that old, 50 years, you're into three generations, which is quite interesting to have all those kids come through," said Tom.
Tom says the work he does at the shop is a true passion of his.
Photo courtesy: halifaxfolklorecentre.ca
"I love what I do. We restore old instruments, vintage instruments. People find things in their closets that they bring in that haven't been played in years," said Tom. "We fix them up and make them playable again. We love recycling. That is one of the main things we do, is recycling old instruments."
Noah Tye is an employee at the Halifax Folklore Centre. He says it is amazing to watch Tom do his work.
"He is one of the higher regarded luthiers, probably in the world," said Tye. "He would never let on to the fact. It's a cool thing to sit and watch him work, and be a fly on the wall and sit and take some notes."
Photo courtesy: halifaxfolklorecentre.ca
Tom says highlights from the shop over the years are plentiful, including visits from celebrities. However, he says his main customers are what has kept his passion thriving.
"Generally, you do 50 years with your regular customers. Just, the people that play for themselves, play for parties in their home, those are our main customers," explained Tom.
"It's pretty hard to now think back and think, 50 years, that's an incredible amount of time. When you do your hobby, how do you retire? So, I guess I am stuck doing it for a while."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.