Rather, he likes to retain that “local” music store feel in each of those communities.

“We are a small business and it is so nice when local people support us because our customers are what makes us,” Dombrowski said.

Dombrowski’s love of music started at an early age as he was growing up in Escanaba. His father, who had a love of music, encouraged him to play. Dombrowski started on the piano in the first grade and then the guitar in the fourth grade, after watching a cousin play.

Dombrowski would go on to play in the popular regional band Cadillac. Though his days of playing in a band are done, he still plays nearly every day for his own enjoyment.

JIM’S MUSIC & Teaching Center in Iron Mountain is at W8086 U.S. 2. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

“I used to be able to run and play football. I don’t do that anymore, but I still can play the guitar, sure, and I still enjoy it,” Dombrowski said. “It is one of the weirdest businesses to be in, because you can be around music all day and still go home and pull up the guitar and play it.”

Dombrowski would open his first Jim’s Music & Teaching Center in Escanaba in 1986, after the music store where he had been working as a teacher for the previous three years announced it would be closing.

Dombrowski said it was his wife, Karen, who encouraged him to open a store of his own, with her bookkeeper experience complementing his musical knowledge. Karen Dombrowski helped in the business before retiring two years ago to spend time with the grandchildren.

In 2002, Jim’s Music & Teaching Center opened in Marquette, followed by Iron Mountain in 2007 and Green Bay in 2010. The reason for expanding, Dombrowski said, was he was getting customers coming in from all of those areas, saying they wished he was closer.

The four stores now employ 58 people, five of them in Iron Mountain. The four stores have a total of 350 music students.

Dombrowski appreciates his staff. “When people think of Jim’s Music, they do not think of me, they think of the people out front,” Dombrowski said.

While the stores all are managed the same way, the inventory can vary but can be easily transferred from store to store for those who shop online and want to try before they buy.

Jim’s Music sells or rents just about every instrument imaginable, including guitars, pianos, keyboards and drums. Band and orchestra instruments also make up a large percentage of total sales. Dombrowski said they can find an instrument for just about every price range, adding he believes in the “good, better, best” sales philosophy.

Popular brands sold include Breedlove and Fender guitars, Jupiter band instruments and Roland keyboards and drums.

Jim’s Music also sells gear like microphones and amps, along with all the supplies such as picks, strings and reeds.

Another large portion of Jim’s Music’s business is in repairing instruments, with most of the work being done in the Marquette store. Three employees travel from school to school, picking up damaged instruments and stocking them up with supplies.

Jim’s Music & Teaching Center can install sound systems as well.

Once an instrument is purchased, the customer may need to learn to play it — and Jim’s Music & Teaching Center can help with that, too.

Dombrowski said he has two rules for his instructors: Make the lessons fun and run on time.

“Parents are so busy now, if the lesson gets done at 5 p.m. they probably have something scheduled for 5:15 p.m., so we try to stay on schedule,” Dombrowski explained.

Dombrowski said they talk with those considering lessons or the parents to see what they want to achieve. Younger students may focus on notes and rhythms, while an older student may just want to learn enough to strum some songs by a campfire.

“We try to direct the lessons so that it is what that person wants to learn — not everyone who comes here wants to go to Juilliard,” Dombrowski said, referring to the famous music school in New York City.

Lessons can be for anyone willing to put in the work. Dombrowski recommends children at least know their ABCs. They have students in their 80s as well.

Looking ahead, Dombrowski aims to slow down a little — just a little. He said he plans in the next few years to turn the stores over to his son, Eric, who already manages the Green Bay store.

“I am very blessed because my son is involved. We get to talk every day and I visit him once a week,” Dombrowski said.

Jim’s Music & Teaching Center is running a tax refund sale featuring up to 25% off select inventory. Also, those purchasing an instrument during the sale will receive a free month of lessons, a $65 value.

Starting Wednesday Jim’s Music will host an open jam from 4 to 6 p.m. in the store.

Jim’s Music & Teaching Center is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Shopping also can be done online at www.jimsmusiconline.com.