Do you remember Carlow’s Music Center in Hamtramck?

[Henry Whalley]

It was located at 3135 Caniff. Anne and Al Carlow were its proprietors for probably a half century. Al sold instruments and repaired the axes of many classical and jazz players in his attic workshop. It was a fine little store for music lessons, too.

[Hamtragedy]

It survived into the 90s. Walked by it frequently.

After that it turned into a [[very) short lived blues and jazz bar, [[it was really small) although the name escapes me, but the proprietor was a woman named Shawn. Don't think it lasted much past 95.

[Henry Whalley]

Don't think it lasted much past 95.

I know that Carlow's lasted into the early 2000's because I visited there looking for a good old guitar. I talked with Al Carlow who had moved his workshop down from the attic because he was in a wheelchair. He may have lost his legs to diabetes.

He lamented that he had been unable to find an apprentice to whom he could teach instrument repair. He couldn't afford to pay; but if a young person came along who was motivated to learn the craft, Al would teach them to repair musical instruments, thereby giving some youth the skills to earn a living. I think Al first learned the trade as an apprentice. He was a good teacher as was his brother Chester.

[Hamtragedy]

I stand corrected. I'm thinking of the building directly next door to it.

[Henry Whalley]

I'm thinking of the building directly next door to it.

The former Carlow's is now the Delite Cafe & Deli. There used to be a bar next door on the corner of Caniff and Charest. On the other side was Steven Wrobel Insurance and then another business that I don't recall and a Gulf gas station and service on the corner of McDougall.