Monday July 21, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
See Video Tour of the Tom Lee Music Store in Langford
Online shopping and the challenges to music programs in schools has cut into the retail success of a long-time music retailer in Langford.
In August, the Tom Lee Music Store within Millstream Village will be downsizing to a smaller space at the outdoor mall on Millstream Road. That’s across the way from another large retail area off McCallum Road (including Home Depot, SaveOn, Staples, and Costco).
Gone will be the spaces used for classes and recitals, often used by music teachers with their students and for small local studio work and performances.
The availability of music composition software also has likely played a part in the business of renting or buying musical instruments.
See Video Tour of the Tom Lee Music Store in Langford.
Smaller space, lower rent:
The new smaller location that opens August 1 has a lower lease commitment. Commercial rents have increased along with residential rents in the post-pandemic economy.
The new smaller location also means a downsizing of staff from 14 to a smaller number smaller.
Shift to online:
Tom Lee Music in Langford first opened on June 1, 2007. But now younger customers shop or order equipment online and may not have access to vehicles to come to the store in person. Foot traffic in the large space has over the years become less than it was pre-pandemic.
The new smaller store officially opens on August 1 at a lower price-point for the retail lease.
A clear-out sale runs to August 10 at the old location at 2410-D Millstream Rd, Unit #105.
Storefront impact:
So this is a generational and digital-technological shift that has impacted yet another retail business at the storefront level. But the TomLeeMusic.ca website offers much of what people need to know or may want to buy or rent.
Company profile:
Tom Lee Music head office is based out of Vancouver, where the company founded in 1953 as Tom Lee Music Hong Kong. Tom Lee Music Canada was founded in 1969 and operate independently from the Asia operation.
Apart from musical instruments and music publications for classical music and pop music, Tom Lee Music also sells professional recording equipment.
The main showroom is located on Granville Street, in Downtown Vancouver. The company operates eight Tom Lee Music locations throughout BC and four stores under the Steinway Piano Gallery name in Markham, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Calgary.
Sponsor of the Sooke Fine Arts Show:
Tom Lee Music has been a sponsor of the Sooke Fine Arts Show for many years.
They provide music equipment setup for the live performances at the show, which this year runs July 26 to August 4 (through BC Day Long weekend) at the SEAPARC Recreation Centre in Sooke.
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