Local music educator continuing legacy at Tone Music

TONE MUSIC Tone Music is located at 114 N Cedar Ave. in downtown Owatonna. Hours of operation are: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Tuesday: 12-5 p.m. Thursday: 10 a.m. — 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays 70d329dc-4103-49f2-9ae7-d663c894180b

Throughout her childhood and teen years, Mara Schack — then Ostermeier — was known to wander along the nooks and crannies of her local music shop.

Two short weeks ago, Schack took down the “Business For Sale” sign that had taken up permanent residency in the window front of downtown Owatonna’s Tone Music. Purchasing the business from Jerry Besser, Tone Music owner and operator for more than three decades, Schack is excited for both her own new chapter in life, as well as continuing the well-established legacy of Owatonna’s music store — and it’s deeply rooted standard of giving back to the community.

“Two weeks has felt like two months,” Schack laughed Monday morning as she continued to organize inventory in the store and print out sale signs. With Besser still nearby and other Tone Music staff members eager to help out, Schack said the transition has been smooth, albeit a learning curve on the business management side.

“Fortunately the customers are very patient,” she said. “There is a lot to learn on the business side of things and about retail and the different brands … I’m really taking it one day at a time.”

Taking things a day at a time has been an ongoing theme for Schack since she first enquired with Besser last fall about potentially purchasing his business. At the time, Schack said it wasn’t a full decision, but she was simply curious.

“It’s been a long process,” Besser joked. He had originally began looking at selling the business prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which complicated things in its own way. Since then, Besser said he has had a number of “tire-kickers” coming around, but nothing “felt like a good fit.”

With Schack, however, it was simply different. Not only is she an Owatonna native, graduating from Owatonna High School in 2001 and returning to town later in life, but she returned to teach music as a “floating music teacher” in the public schools. It was this spring when Schack approached Besser and wanted to make something work.

“Things work in mysterious ways,” Besser said. “She wants to give back, and that’s what it takes. The purpose of the store has never really been to turn a profit, but to give to the community and to retain a music store in town.”

During his 34 years at Tone Music, Besser has served on the Owatonna Music Booster Board. He is happy to say that his position on the board will to Schack, continuing Tone Music’s presence with the local music scene.

Many things will remain the same at Tone Music with Schack in charge. There will still be instrument rentals and repairs, music books and other accessories will be available, and lessons will continue.

In fact, one of the biggest changes to the store will be the expansion of lessons, to the extent of adding music lesson rooms and a classroom space to do what Schack is calling a “little learning” series for things like guitar and ukuleles.

“I’m still an educator at heart,” Schack said, noting her favorite part about being a music teacher was the excitement kids had when they made music together. “Now I am just trying it out in a new venue.”

Another big change people will see when entering Tone Music is the absence of vinyls and other music discs. But they won’t have to go far to get their fix, as Besser will be opening up shop at 310 N. Cedar Ave. — only two blocks down from Tone Music — and providing those items for sale there. At this time, Besser is unsure of what to call his new store, and he shys away from the question on when he will formally retire.

“I’m just taking to month to month,” he said coyly. “But I do enjoy that I can go home for lunch and then take a nap.”

In the upcoming weeks, Schack said she will continue to learn the business side of Tone Music while also shifting the layout of the store and building out the lesson rooms. She said things have been “falling into place” with ease since she made the decision to purchase the shop, and the support she has received from the other downtown business owners has been exceptional and welcoming.

“I am really excited to be a part of this business community — of this neighborhood.”