With new developers looking to transform the property into condominiums, Israel chose to end his lease early on Dec. 31, 2006, leaving the future of his 88-year-old business in jeopardy.
"I looked from downtown to Shoreline and everywhere in between," said Israel, who took over the business in 1999. "I began to have second thoughts when I couldn't find a site for so long."
Though Israel had never learned the craft of an instrument, Capitol Music became a passion for the certified financial planner and former radio host; closing shop would not be an option.
And so the search continued, eventually leading Israel to the Roosevelt neighborhood, with the prospect of finding a new home for his business. Homefront, a home-furnishing store at 1032 N.E. 65th St., looked to moving out of the building and Israel saw the space as simply perfect for his itinerant business.
"We could not have picked a better location," said Israel, who plans on reopening the store come Feb. 1. "We've been known as the sheet-music destination for more than 50 years, and we're moving to an area with a tremendous musical reputation."
A return to glory
Capitol Music will soon sit mere blocks away from two of the city's most revered music programs - Roosevelt High School and Eckstein Middle School - and Israel hopes his new location can better serve their students.
Though less than half the size of his original building, the new Capitol Music Center will feature two self-enclosed practice centers, which will be available for music teachers to use for free in 2008.
Though Israel professes he is no expert on music, he has sought the help of former owner and musician Paul Leaf as a consultant as Israel looks to expand his business. Leaf - who took over ownership of Capitol Music in 1969 and has worked with the business in some capacity for more than 30 years - retired just six years ago but has remained a loyal customer through his church choir.
"It has always been one of the best stores in the city to get sheet music and supplies," said Leaf, a former band and choir teacher who purchased the business from its third owner. "I hope a lot of the old customers come back."
Israel hopes to expand the business by offering on-site instrument-repair services, in addition to an expanded selection of sheet music, specializing in both classical and pop music.
Also joining Israel is local guitarist and performer Asher Hashash, who will serve as the store's manager.
Enough to go around
The move will bring Capitol Music Center within a mile of Metropolitan Music, a store owned by Jean and Paul McVicar that specializes in instrument sales, rentals and repairs mainly in the education and professional fields.
The two stores have worked together in the past, with Metropolitan Music acting as Capitol Music Center's inventory manager for the last three years.
"[Capitol Music Center's] part of the industry is very high-maintenance, and they are the only distributor of sheet music in the city," said Jean McVicar, who has owned Metropolitan Music with her husband for four years. "Perhaps they could take some business away from us, but that's yet to be seen."
According to Israel, there is enough business to go around: "[Metropolitan Music] has been great friends of ours. Though they are a similar business, there's enough [business] for everyone."
Israel said his new location is about 80-percent finished to date and is on schedule for a Feb. 1 opening.
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