KEPHART'S MUSIC CENTER INC.

KEPHART'S MUSIC CENTER INC. The 1989 through 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed Kephart's Music Center (formerly FABER'S) at 1157 Central.

In 2005 the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT purchased the building and its parking lot for $349,000 when the district purchased property for the relocation of PRESCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. The District only needed the parking lot. The building remained empty. (1)

In 2008 when the district determined it did not need additional space, it sold the building to the city which paid the full updated appraisal price of $185,000. After a renovation of the first and second floors, the building would become the home of the MULTICULTURAL FAMILY CENTER which was currently located at 1340 White Street. (2)

In 2014 Russell "Rusty" KEPHART had been President and CEO of Kepharts Music Center Inc. since 1989. The firm, begun by his father Russell Kephart, Sr., had grown to have three retail outlets in Decorah, Dubuque, and Mason City. In 2014 the company had stores in Decorah and Dubuque.

In January 2014 Kephart's announced that it would merge with West Music Comany in February. West Music which had recently celebrated its 70th anniversary had six locations in Iowa and western Illinois. Kephart's would close its Dubuque store at 4496 Dodge Street and open at 2255 Kennedy Road in Asbury Square.

Kephart's West Music would feature a larger inventory of keyboards and pianos, an entire room dedicated to orchestra instruments, and a larger staff to repair instruments. A small stage would allow recitals and entertainment on the sales floor. (3)

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Source:

1. Becker, Stacey, "School Board to Sell Building," Telegraph Herald'Italic text, March 25, 2008, p. 3

2. Ibid.

3. Montgomery, Jeff,"Kephart's Music Center Will Move," Telegraph Herald, January 18, 2014, p. 3A