
Incorporated in
West Virginia on July 27, 1980, Kerr's Music World was the brainchild of George Y. Kerr.
After remodeling a building in Crede, four miles north of Charleston, the doors were
opened for business on August 27, 1980 with a staff of three. The store specialized in
band instruments and accessories with a repair service department and teaching studios.
As
the business grew in size and the staff increased in number, Kerr's relocated to
Charleston at 911 Bigley Avenue in June of 1983. The business continues at this
location where it is housed in three separate buildings on the same parcel of
land. The business takes on a "homey atmosphere" since it is housed in an older
three-story brick home built in the 1920's. From the original staff of three,
personnel has grown to a staff of seventeen.
In 2006, a second location was opened on Route 60 between
Barboursville and Huntington to better serve the tri-state area. Some employees
from Charleston moved to work the Huntington location, in addition to
experienced music store personnel from the Huntington area who joined the staff.
The stores
are devoted
to the sale and repair of band instruments, sale of instrument accessories, and the sale
of auxiliary accessories such as shoes, gloves, and flags. They also specialize in band and
choral music, formal wear, band uniforms by the DeMoulin Uniform Company, and
choral attire by Murphy Robes.
Another part of the
business is the Sefco Plume Co. that was purchased in 1984. Kerr's is the sole
manufacturer of the yarn plume that can be worn in rain or snow. Since it is made of
acrylic yarn, the Sefco plume is practical, inexpensive, and colorfast. Sefco Plumes is a
division of the business and manufactured on premise.
Throughout the twenty-eight years of existence, Kerr's Music
has always been devoted to music education in the schools and community.