Duluth Violin shop is 'destination business'

Roland and Dixie Huthmaker didn't know what they were getting into.

Their love of violins and passion for music has stretched a lifetime, from teaching to performing. But the owners of Huthmaker Violins in downtown Duluth never knew this endeavour would grow into a destination business serving customers across the southeast.

The Huthmaker story begins with a friend and a viola. At the time, both Huthmakers had been professional musicians and taught at different high schools.

"A friend asked us if we could sell this viola," Dixie said. "We both tried with our high school orchestras, but the students did not want it because they thought it was too old."

Dixie bought the instrument, had it appraised and discovered it was "very valuable." And the rest is history.

The interest in restoring violins has grown to the largest violin shop in the Southeast.

"Be careful what you wish for," she said with a grin.

Part of the business includes regular trips to Vichy, France to purchase high quality instruments. It sounds great, but Dixie said the trip is truly a business trip.

"It's really hard work," she said. "There are more than a thousand instruments and bows and we have to look at each two or three times. We want to be sure because once we take it home, we can't give it back."

Operating the business is truly a family affair. The Huthmakers employed their daughter, Anna, to manage the store and she also restores bows, earning her the moniker of "bow queen."

"The three of us fit together like a puzzle," Dixie said. "We all bring different stuff to the table."

Their son, Charles Huthmaker, does not work in Duluth full time, but he does travel to France because he speaks the language and helps during the auctions.

"Of course," Dixie said, "he helps us whenever he's in town and helps customers."

The Huthmakers may be a puzzle, but it's a puzzle that equals up to a great love of the instruments.

"The instruments are so beautiful," she said. "They are a work tool, but they are really a piece of art."

Why did the Huthmakers choose Duluth for their business? Its character.

"In metro Atlanta," Dixie said, "it's becoming difficult if not impossible to find original downtowns. We went all over Atlanta and we decided to come here 15 years ago. There's history here. There's older buildings. We felt we needed to be in a place that was unique."

Huthmaker Violins boasts instruments and accessories at a variety of prices. They repair, restore and appraisal, also.

"If you brought in your grandpa's violin," she said, "we could tell you what it is worth."

There are also four acoustically designed studios where about seven to eight teachers work with students. Huthmaker Violins sponsors the "Main Street Symphony," an adult amateur orchestra that performs at events such as the Duluth Fall Festival.

"The conductor calls it a 'love fest,'" Dixie said. "That's because they all love what they are doing. It's not really a symphony, it's an orchestra. But maybe someday."
- www.gwinnettherald.com

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