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Ossining Resident Opens Peekskill Guitar Shop

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- Guitarists in Westchester have a new place to call home.

Paul DeCourcey, who recently opened up a guitar shop in Peekskill.

Paul DeCourcey, who recently opened up a guitar shop in Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Ossining resident Paul DeCourcey opened Division Street Guitars at 36 North Division Street in September. Division Street Guitars is a full service guitar store that sells and repairs guitars, strings, picks and amplifiers, everything a musician might need.

DeCourcey has been in music most of his life and previously worked at a music store in Ossining before becoming the head luthier at Southside Guitars in Brooklyn. Moving back to Ossining when he had his son, DeCourcey found the commute too much and decided to open a place in Peekskill.

"I saw an opportunity here," DeCourcey said. "There is a vibrant music scene here. There's no place like this anywhere else. It's been a dream to have my own place."

Division Street Guitars has done well since DeCourcey opened the store which he attributes to the quality service his store provides.

"I am filling a void for local musicians," DeCourcey said. "You used to have to travel a good distance to buy strings."

DeCourcey said guitars need maintenance like a car. Guitars can change during the seasons, often expanding or contracting.

"If you play your guitar a lot, you can wear it down," he said.

It takes about four to six weeks for DeCourcey to build a guitar and he often makes custom guitars. DeCourcey said he uses choice woods and the guitars all are all handcrafted. 

"They are not coming off a factory line," DeCourcey said. "We use high quality parts."

DeCourcey is also a musician, having played in the band Aloke. He co-wrote Grouplove's hit song "Colors," and has been in bands with Christian Zucconi, vocalist and guitarist for Grouplove.

Zucconi and the band Family of the Year use his guitars along with guitarist Alex Walker, who DeCourcey considers an influence. 

DeCourcey, who grew up in Ossining, said he loves being in a city like Peekskill, where there is live music almost every night of the week.

"Everything has gone better than expected," DeCourcey said. "Word of mouth is starting to spread. I am happy I opened this shop."

For more information, go to www.divisionstreetguitars.com or call 737-2630.

 

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