It is a dream for every individual to follow their passion as a young child and make something out of their life involving that passion. For owner Chris DiPinto, of DiPinto Guitars, that is exactly what he did. DiPinto Guitars did not start up as a business, but rather as a passion. Having been around for nearly 16 years now after opening up his first shop in 1995, DiPinto could not ask for anything better. However, DiPinto Guitars is not your ordinary music store as all the guitars are designed by DiPinto himself.
His passion began in the fifth grade by listening to the bands Boston and Cheap Trick. However, his guitar passion grew from guitar players who had their own models they had made themselves like Eddie Van Halen, Brian May and Randy Rhoads. These artists sparked DiPinto’s interest in designing guitars.
DiPinto opened his shop in Fishtown about five or six years ago he said, located at 417 E. Girard Ave. He began in Olde City for four years, then moved to Northern Liberties before finding his current home. Having to jump around due to rent issues, DiPinto decided it was time to buy a building. It took some time and effort to turn their current location into the store it is today, but it was well worth it. “I think we’ll be here. We won’t have to move out of here. We’re safe now, I think,” DiPinto said.
After the move, DiPinto was worried he would lose his previous customers, feeling that they would not come that far north. With the resurgence of Fishtown now as one of the more artistic neighborhoods in the city, people were happy to see DiPinto guitars move in. “When we opened the doors, people were saying, ‘Hey you moved into my neighborhood, this is great,’” DiPinto said. He said the transportation is great for his customers too as they can take the Market-Frankford Line or the trolley to get to his store.
DiPinto has no big plans for the future of his guitar shop, “but if we could grow it to the level of some of the mid-sized ones, we would be happy with that,” DiPinto said.
Congrats Chris…on following through with your passion! So many times we abandon our passion to pursue “status” or “income”…it’s good to know that you stayed with it! It will def be worth it!!!!