Maytan Music Center's manager doesn't like to think the store is leaving Carson City come November. He said that he sees it as moving six miles down the road.
Except that about six miles down the road is another county.
After 38 years in Carson City, the family-owned business will shutter its 725 Basque Way store and move to the Carson Valley Plaza in Douglas County. Maytan will have a 10,000-square-foot building at 911 Topsy Lane between Petco and Michael's. Its current space is about 2,500 square feet.
"We saw the retail space was available, and that there will likely be a ton more foot traffic," store manager Vince Gates said Tuesday.
He said the Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Borders are strong anchor stores.
"There are several big stores out there so it just comes down to that there is a lot of foot traffic and a ton more parking," Gates said. "To us, it's a smart business decision to move where there is a lot of action."
Maytan's new store will have several rooms for music instruction. He'll also double the staff to 10.
He said some customers are happy about the move, but others complain how much tax revenue is moving from here to Douglas County.
Carson City's merchandise sales decreased by $20 million from fiscal year 2003 to 2004. Some have wondered what that means for the capital city. But Carson City Finance Director Tom Minton said that is a result of several factors, not just because of business moving to Douglas County.
Wal-Mart moved to Douglas County in mid-August 2002, so only six weeks of sales were included in fiscal year 2003. Kmart closed in April 2003.
He said those two closures affect the comparison between fiscal year 2003 and 2004, which partly explains that $20 million decline.
"Fiscal year 2004 doesn't have any sales of those retail outlets in it. Fiscal year 2003 does," he said.
But retail sales should be looking up. Carson City's new Wal-Mart on College Parkway is scheduled to open summer 2005.
Contact Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.