About Us

Star Music Company got its start in January 1962, thanks to the vision of Manuel “Manny” Lifchez. Before becoming a music store, the building was home to Star Loan Company, a pawn shop run by Manny’s father, Moses Lifchez. Manny eventually took over the family business in the mid-1950s and kept things humming along until a fateful day in January 1962 when Richland School District One erroneously reached out with a request for Selmer band instruments. Always up for a challenge, Manny reached out to The Selmer Company and within a few weeks, Manny had turned his focus from pawns to piccolos—and just like that, Star Music was born. The rest, as they say, is music history!

During this exciting time of growth, Manny didn’t just add square footage—he expanded the whole vibe of Star Music Company. No longer just a place for school band and the obligatory accoustic guitar, the store began to rock with the sounds of drums, amps, electric guitars, cymbals, and all kinds of gear for aspiring rockstars and garage bands. Manny saw the need and met it head-on, filling the shop with instruments that went beyond the classroom and straight onto the stage. The second floor became a treasure trove of sound, where music lovers of all kinds could find their perfect match. From marching bands to metal heads, Manny made sure Star Music Company had something for everyone.