Guitar and electronics repair shops launch, a sub franchise opens, a cider fest is set
Musician and Fender Jazzmaster fan Josh Calisti recently took stock of his future and decided that it wouldn’t hurt to open a guitar repair business. It would introduce him to the local music scene and it’s probably something he could do after he retires.
“I’ve always worked on my own guitars,” said Calisti, 37, who has been playing music since he was 14.
And so in March he opened Audiomanic Guitar Repair at his Olympia area home, but he hopes to have his own storefront eventually.
Since opening, he has worked on 30-40 guitars. His key service is a “tune up.” Guitars, which are made mostly of wood, can swell and shrink with a change of weather. Calisti said he’s prepared to adjust guitar necks and strings, add fresh strings, address electrical problems, resolder parts, upgrade guitar components and even customize components, he said.
Calisti thinks the pandemic created a lot of pent up demand. “I don’t see a shortage of people needing guitar work done,” he said.
When he’s not running his business, Calisti fronts an indie rock band called Waves Crashing. His musical career began with the piano, but he didn’t take to it. Then he heard the Foo Fighter’s “Everlong” and its signature guitar riff.
“I want to make that sound,” he recalls thinking about that guitar-deciding moment. “I won’t forget that.”
Other business happenings
Speaking of repairs, electronics repair shop uBreakiFix has opened at 1520 Cooper Point Road in west Olympia. The store repairs smartphones, tablets, computers, drones, hoverboards and game consoles, and it offers support for most technical problems on any electronic device, regardless of make or model.
At uBreakiFix Olympia, most basic repairs can be completed in under two hours, the business announced in a news release.
uBreakiFix was founded in 2009 by entrepreneurs Justin Wetherill and David Reiff, who later partnered with Eddie Trujillo to transition their internet-based repair brand to a brick-and-mortar model. uBreakiFix began franchising in 2013 and currently operates more than 600 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
Franchise owner Peter Braun and operating partner Jeff Morse have opened a Jersey Mike’s Subs at 5116 Yelm Highway S.E. in Lacey, the business announced.
“This will be our third Jersey Mike’s with two more under construction shortly,” Braun said in a statement. “Clearly we are all-in on this brand and importantly the great people who support us.”
The restaurant is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The Cider Barrel, a downtown Olympia destination for cider, is planning a cider festival, owner Troy Kirby said. But the festival won’t be held at his business. Kirby plans to bring 20-30 cideries to the parking lot at Views on Fifth, the apartment building on Fifth Avenue that overlooks Budd Inlet and Capitol Lake.
The cider fest is set for Aug. 21, Kirby said.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published July 2, 2021 at 5:30 AM.
