It is with a complex mix of emotions that I must announce the winding down of Watermelon Music. I have been involved with this store (and its predecessors) for 35 years now, since first coming to Davis as a 20-year old student in 1989. Anyone who knows me and my passion for music and independent retail will understand the difficulty I’ve had coming to this decision. The incredible show of support we received from the community one year ago makes this even more difficult, but I can’t see a clear path toward becoming profitable again, without a complete rethinking of the model that has worked for so many years. I have always tried to operate with integrity and transparency, and it is important to me that I exit on my own terms, with clean hands and obligations met.

This closing will not be immediate. My plan is to begin winding things down now (see the items below for more details), but will have no definitive timeline until we find a buyer for the building. 

Parties interested in a potential purchase of the space should contact Jim Gray or Nahz Anvary of Kidder Mathews for more information.

INVENTORY: We will begin a store-wide sale this Monday, May 6th. All new merchandise in-stock will be 20% off normal pricing. During the month of June, all in-stock new merchandise will be 30% off; July will be at 40% off; and any new merchandise remaining in August will be at 50% off.  

We can still order product, but these discounts will NOT apply to special orders.

RENTAL ACCOUNTS: If you are currently renting an instrument from us, we would like to offer you a 50% discount from the balance remaining to purchase during the month of May; a 40% discount off of the balance during the month of June; or a 30% discount off of the balance during the month of July. Beginning August 1, the discount to purchase instruments will revert back to the 20% listed on the contract and we will begin asking customers to return them. Please call or come by the store for exact numbers.  

Beginning immediately, we will NOT be opening new long-term rental contracts.

MUSIC LESSONS: Our studios remain open for regular music instruction. Speak with your instructor about any potential changes in the months to come.

THE MELON BALL: We will continue to book concerts, recitals and events in The Melon Ball through August, and will honor all current reservations and show tickets. Scheduling events further out than August will depend upon the timeline of the sale of the building.

CONSIGNMENT CREDIT & GIFT CARDS: We will continue to honor gift cards and credit from the sale of consignment items, but encourage you to redeem while there is still plenty of inventory to choose from. They ARE usable toward Melon Ball Tickets…

Beginning immediately, we will NOT be taking additional used items on consignment.

REPAIRS: We will continue to process repairs without interruption during this transition. 

EMPLOYEES: I have a fantastic staff here and hope that anyone reading this who is hiring will consider one or more of them. I am happy to vouch for and provide a reference for any and all of them.

I believe that there is still a need for a music store in Davis and am available to offer advice or information to any enterprising, intrepid individuals who want to take a run at it. It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to be involved in this venture over the past 35 years.

--Jeff Simons, Watermelon Music