Best Musical Instrument Store

This year MusicStop was purchased by Canada’s largest musical instrument retailer Long & McQuade, which, according to manager John Parker, has meant great things for the store. “There’s lots of groovy changes,” he says. “Way more inventory and much better trade policy and procedures. There’s much more used stuff now, and the rental rates are ridiculously cheap. I’ve seen regular customers laughing out loud when they hear the new rates.” He adds, “I feel like I’d be waxing my boss’s banana if I went on.” Parker has nothing but good things to say about former owner and MusicStop founder Russ Brannon, but he can’t deny that “there are aspects of the larger platform that are really great.” 6065 Cunard, 496-6900

1st Runner Up: Buckley’s Music, 6206-6208 Quinpool, 429-1010

2nd Runner Up: Halifax Folklore Centre, 1528 Brunswick, 423-7946