Russo is an independent, family-owned music instrument retail shop.
After many years as an accordion instructor at Chopin's Music, Stephen Russo, along with his wife Luce, established Russo Music Center in 1960. The store was originally located at their home at 2910 South Broad Street in Hamilton Township, NJ.
They built two studios and a waiting room on the first floor of their house where Mr. Russo provided lessons. In 1961 they expanded into the house with 3 more studios and space for retail sales. The second floor of the house was converted to an apartment for rent in 1963.
The instrument rental program began with local districts in 1968, and was further developed with the addition of the Yamaha brand of instruments in 1970. By then, the Russos had to move the instruments into the second floor, as the business now encompassed the entire first floor of their home. Mrs. Russo decided to leave her job selling high-end apparel at Stacy's in West Trenton in 1973 in order to devote her time to the family business.
One year later the business had taken over the entire house and the Russos moved into a new home. Operation continued on South Broad Street until 1985 when the business relocated to 1989 Arena Drive in Hamilton Township where it still resides today. In 1994 the space was expanded with the addition of the current 2-floor warehouse and extended sales floor.
The Russos stretched across the state in 2010 with the unveiling of a second location in the downtown area of Asbury Park.
