Midtown Piano Store To Close Doors

OMAHA, Neb. - KETV.com

It’s been on the corner of 49th and Dodge streets for nearly a half century. Now, Renier’s Pianos is getting ready to close its doors.

For owner Fred Renier, the store has allowed him to live his dream.

“Ever since I was old enough to push a broom, I’ve been working around here,” said Renier.

The business goes back farther than its tenure in Omaha. Renier’s great-grandmother started the business in Dubuque, Iowa.

“She got pianos off the Mississippi River and took them to her house by horse and carriage and sold pianos back then,” he said.

Nearly 110 years later, technology has changed things inside the business.

“Now there’s digital keyboards and player pianos that play CDs and so forth. All these new computerized things,” Renier said.

Renier said the economy has nothing to do with is decision to close the store. In fact, Renier and his wife Ruth are simply ready to retire and their two daughters have chosen different careers.

“I don’t know, it’s going to be hard not to think about pianos when we retire. I’m used to coming here and getting pianos ready,” he said.

Ruth Renier said the story carries years of memories.

“It’s going to be a bit bittersweet,” she said. “But we’re ready to move on to the next phase in our life.”

“We’re going to miss the music end of this and meeting all the people. That’s going to be the hardest part,” said Fred Renier.

The couple has already sold the building. They plan to close the store by the end of the year.

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