Attina’s Music Store celebrates 40 great years with celebration at Fayetteville location

Dominic “Nick” Attina and his wife, Mary, were the heart and soul of Attina’s Music and their son, John, will honor them this Saturday with a memorial monument outside of their Fayetteville location at a celebration marking the store’s 40th anniversary. Since 1966, residents south of Atlanta have counted on Attina’s for their musical instrument needs, whether it was a new instrument, a replacement part, repair, lessons or just a place to browse around.

The Fayetteville location opened in 1988 but Attina’s had already made a name for themselves with a location in Forest Park that opened in 1966, upon Nick’s retirement from the U.S. Army. Nick had served in World War II and Vietnam and was a POW in Korea. He was the director of the Third Army band while in the service and could play any instrument, though his instrument of choice was the tenor sax.

“That was his strong suit,” Attina said. “He produced such an incredible tone.”

At the age of 41, the family put all of their money together and opened the Forest Park location.

“In the early days of the business, my dad would call on all of the area schools, often driving out this way early in the mornings,” Attina recalled, adding that his parents both had an incredible work ethic, putting in long hours almost every day, even when they were supposed to be on vacation.

Their work ethic and love of music carried over into John’s life. He is now the owner of all three locations, including the McDonough location which opened its doors five years ago. Prior to joining the family business in 1981, John was an entertainer in the Atlanta area, well-known for Vegas style floor shows. While he can play guitar and piano, his instrument of choice is the drums. He started playing at an early age and his father would often take him to impromptu jam sessions at NCO and Officer Clubs.

“My dad showed me how to play a few beats and would tell me when to stop,” Attina said. “There were so many good musicians. It was a lot of fun.”

Attina grew up in the music store and one of his favorite things about the business is seeing a love of music continue to pass from generation to generation.

“We have customers who have been coming in since they were in their elementary school band bringing in their children who are just beginning their musical careers now,” said Attina. “That’s what I take the most pride in.”

The entire staff of the Attina’s stores are dedicated to ensuring that the love of playing music continues to be passed on. All 15 employees come from a musical background and many of them had a relationship with the store and Nick and Mary before they passed away.

All three locations offer a good selection if musical instruments and equipment and they also offer instrument repair, usually on-site, while you wait. Though the Forest Park location doesn’t offer a lot of classes, classes are a big part of the Fayetteville and McDonough locations.

“It is so important for us to help develop tomorrow’s musicians, today,” Attina stated, adding that while each year has a number of customers graduate from high school and move on to college, each year also brings a new crop of children picking up an instrument for the first time. “It’s important to get a child interested in playing music at an early age.” To help that process along, Attina’s has most school band instruments available for rental and also has a rent to buy program.

While the music industry has undoubtedly changed over the years and Attina sees more special effects and technology being sold than ever, the music store is still a thriving industry, one that hasn’t been drastically effected by the internet.

“People still want to see and touch and play an instrument before buying it,” he said, adding that it is important for the Attina’s stores to carry on the legacy of his parents, whose goal it was to see all of their musician clients progress in their playing.

Many of the people who have relied upon Attina’s over the years for their musical needs will be at the celebration at the Fayetteville location on June 10. There will be musical performances from bands of every genre from 12-7 p.m., food from Backyard Burgers and a celebration honoring 40 great years and the people who made it all possible.

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