Two years ago, Justin Vogel was handing over the keys to Right Coast Pizza, which later became Fusco Pizza in downtown Greeley.
Now he’s back in the same building at 811 8th St. with another business, Greeley Guitar Lounge. Fusco Pizza closed this summer.
His new business venture offers an array of guitar brands from Gibson, Fender, BOSS, Jackson Guitars to other brands as well as repairs and guitar accessories. Soon, he said, the lounge will have staff offering guitar lessons.
Vogel had mixed emotions about setting up shop again in the same building where he opened his restaurant in 2015.
“I mean, deconstructing everything I put into it … that was slightly depressing, but it’s been good,” he said. “(It’s) been positive.”
Vogel said closing Right Coast didn’t leave a sour taste in his mouth, and he wanted another chance to run a business. However, he needed some persuasion to turn this new business venture into a reality.
“My wife (Erin) helped convince me. She supported me,” he said. “I’ve had this idea for a while, and it wasn’t leaving. Everywhere I looked, I saw the need for this in the community. She was supportive.”
Vogel, a Greeley native, has been playing the guitar since he was 12 years old. From playing in bands, working at radio stations in Oklahoma and producing live events to building his own guitars, his love for the instrument and music is felt upon entering the lounge.
The lounge has been open for a few weeks, with an official grand opening scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Not only can his passion for the guitar and music be felt at his old-new location, but he is also in the works of sharing it outside of its doors. He said he’s been working with the Youth for Christ charity for several years, with the hope of launching a program next summer that aims to get guitars into the hands of the youth in the community.
Even though serving hot and fresh pizza brought smiles to people, Vogel is more excited about bringing his love of music to the community with his encore as a business owner.
“Opening a restaurant is work,” he said. “This is bordering on fun. It’s a lot more life-giving to sell someone their first guitar. (Serving pizza) is fun, but seeing somebody get their first instrument is super fulfilling.”
To see what else the lounge offers, go to greeleyguitarlounge.com.
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