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POCATELLO — After 45 years serving the local music community, Mike’s Music, a longtime family-owned specialty store, is closing its doors for good in Pocatello on May 1.
Founded in 1980 by the late musician and entrepreneur Mike Doggett, the store quickly became a hub for music lovers in eastern Idaho. It originally opened at 138 North Main Street in Pocatello before relocating early on to its current location at 2908 Pole Line Road.
The shop offered a wide selection of instruments, rentals, accessories, sheet music, and music lessons for musicians of all ages. Over time, the business expanded to include additional stores in Idaho Falls and Rexburg.
Over the years, Mike’s Music became more than just a store — it was a place where every customer was treated with respect and often left as a friend. From helping students find their first trumpet to guiding seasoned musicians toward their next great guitar, the shop held a special place in the hearts of many.
For the past 40 years, the Pocatello store has been managed by Mike’s brother, Curtis Doggett. He said the changing buying habits of a new generation drove the decision to close.
“People aren’t patronizing businesses like they used to. It used to be that a musician wanted to lay his hand on it before purchasing a musical instrument, try things out, and decide which one to get,” Doggett said. “Now they sign on to the internet and buy from an online vendor, making stores like us less viable.”
Doggett pointed to a framed newspaper article hanging on the wall that honors his brother Mike, who passed away in 2020. He credits Mike as the heart and driving force behind the business.
“My brother was the motivation behind the stores,” he said. “He was a wonderful musician in the local bands Goodwill and The Affection Collection. He helped people who couldn’t afford band instruments for their kids and did a lot of good in the community.”
Some of Curtis Doggett’s standout memories from his years at Mike’s Music include the many times he helped move grand pianos for special events at Idaho State University.
“We used to sell a lot of acoustic pianos,” he said. “Once, they asked me to move a 9-foot grand piano to the university president’s house and set it up on the lawn for an event. I told them I wouldn’t do it — you never know what the weather will do.”
There are no plans to close the Idaho Falls and Rexburg stores at this time. Leftover items from the “Going Out of Business” sale in Pocatello will be moved to these stores.
“I’d like to thank the community and the people who have patronized our store, taking lessons, buying guitars, drums, and other instruments,” said Doggett. “It’s been a good run.”
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The song is over for Pocatello’s Mike’s Music – East Idaho News
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