let us share our history with our customers.” After that collaboration, the Chuck Levin’s crew began to lean into manufacturer exclusives regularly. “Having those unique, story-driven offerings has become especially important today, when manufacturers are selling direct and everyone’s inventory is global,” Adam said. “These exclusive pieces let us tell our story through products, and having items with our badge on them is genuinely exciting. There’s a story in all of them. For our 65th anni- versary — the Sapphire anniversary — everything had a blue theme. We did a run with Fender Custom Shop, one of every model they make in a blue sapphire color. We also did a run of amps with Mark Bartel where he modified the circuit so they all go to ‘e-Levin.’ Get it? And we made a Theo Wanne mouthpiece called the Marge — named for Chuck’s wife and partner in the business. It was a beautifully crafted, powerful mouthpiece that really captured her spirit.” ‘LEVIN IS THE JOB TITLE’ A lthough Adam said he and his family all share the title of owner, the name Levin is what really carries the weight. “My dad Robert Levin [who worked at the dealership until his passing in 2013], and I had it out. I told him I wanted a role because I went to college, so I needed a title,” Adam recounted. “He said, ‘You don’t get one. Your last name’s Levin. Show up tomorrow, do what I tell you and don’t come in if you’re not staying for at least three years.’ I said ‘OK,’ showed up at six the next morning and got to work. We really don’t have titles here. My dad would say, ‘You want a title? Pick one.’ I tell people I’m the general manager because they expect me to have something, but really the job is whatever the company needs from me that day — whether it’s selling, unloading a truck or taking out the trash. I do all of it.” It’s this hustle, mindset and focus on the customer that has led Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center to receive multiple awards this year, including winning “Best Customer Service” at the 2026 NAMM Retail Awards during this past January’s show and a 2026 Wammie Music Award, a local awards program aimed at recognizing D.C., Maryland and Virginia-area music makers. “During the recent Wammie Awards, we were honored with a legacy award,” Adam said. “Paul Reed Smith, who worked here at our guitar shop in the 1980s before starting PRS Guitars, was kind enough to present our award. It was a natural fit given how close our relationship with Paul has been over the years. It was a really meaningful way for those two things to come together.” When asked where Adam and Alan hope to see the store head into the future as it stares down its 70th anniversary, both said they hope the store is still here and relevant. “This place is a mecca for so many people,” Adam said. “You walk in and you’re transported back to the first time you ever came in, saw all the guitars and got to pull one off the wall. That means something. As Paul Reed Smith said during our Wammie introduction, coming in here the first time was a rite of passage.” Alan agreed, adding that he sees three generations of customers walk through the door on a regular basis. “I say this at least once a week: This isn’t the dentist’s office. You’re supposed to have fun and kid around with people,” Alan said. “If a kid comes in to try a flute, I like to joke, ‘How about a drum set instead?’ The parents’ reaction is usually, ‘Absolutely not.’ But you have fun with it. What we do isn’t rocket science. It’s really just talking to people. Sure, every once in a while you get a difficult customer. But at least once a week, as you’re wrapping up, a parent will turn around and say, ‘Thank you, that was really great.’ That makes the whole week.” MI
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