There’s good news for local music lovers: Wareham has a new music store downtown.

Officially opened as of Thursday, Oct. 12, The Gear Place offers more than just instruments for sale.

In addition to their selection for music-making, the store offers guitar and ukulele lessons, copy and dubbing services and guitar repairs.

Owner Allan Ganz, who is from Cape Cod, has been in the music business since the 1980s. 

His passion for music first came to life after hearing The Beatles song “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” 

“My first guitar was a broom,” said Ganz, who taught himself to play from there. 

He was a principal of a music school, and owned multiple music stores on Cape Cod. 

After selling his most recent store on Cape Cod, Ganz retired from the business. 

But as a lover of music, especially classic rock, Ganz wasn’t able to just hang up his instruments and quit working. Ganz said that he noticed an available store space located at 245 Main Street for lease and saw potential. 

He decided to come out of retirement and to open The Gear Place. 

The motivating factor for Ganz was his idea for a storefront concept with a focus on guitars and ukuleles. As the sole designer from the store’s floor plan to its website graphics, Ganz’s vision has now come to life. 

“No risk, no reward,” said Ganz.