Kapeller Violins closing its doors at end of July after 45 years

Kapeller is working to unload its remaining inventory of dozens of instruments ahead of the closure next month. (BizSense file photos)

After 45 years serving Richmond’s classical musicians, Kapeller Violins will soon take its final bow.

The family-run business at 5035 Forest Hill Ave., which sells and rents violins, cellos, violas and other string instruments and has provided a repair and maintenance service for thousands of customers, will be closing its doors at the end of July.

Owner and manager Jane Kapeller said the closure is prompted by a combination of factors, including her husband’s declining health. She’s already had to decrease the shop’s hours so she can care for her husband.

Kapeller’s storefront is in a walkup space next to The Locker Room bar.

“Personally, I’m very conflicted because I really still like what I do here and, you know, I love helping people who want this to be part of their lives,” Kapeller said. “I want to have something purposeful to do, but it was just getting to be a bit much to manage everything.”

Jane’s husband, Stephen Kapeller, started the business back in 1978, while Jane pursued a career as a professional violinist for 25 years. But when she was forced to resign due to tenosynovitis, or tendon inflammation, in her hands, she got involved in the family business. She’s managed the shop since 1996. 

With 45 years under its belt, Kapeller estimated the store has sold and rented instruments to about 3,000 customers, and even more have come in for instrument repairs and maintenance. 

“We’ve had customers who came to us a long time ago, and now they come back with their kids,” Kapeller said.

Kapeller said she decided to close the shop this summer to avoid starting another school year’s worth of rentals to students. She sent out a notice to customers about the store’s closing in April, and has spent the last couple of months wrapping up rental agreements and clearing out inventory.

The closure also follows the recent sale of Kapeller’s building, which was purchased by local development firm Dodson Development Group as part of a three-building package at 5035-5057 Forest Hill Ave. Dodson paid $2.6 million for the properties in March with a plan to convert the top floors of the building next to Kapeller’s into apartments. 

Jane Kapeller (right) and Britt Leeper.

Kapeller said people are sad and surprised of the store’s closing, but assures clients that one of Kapeller’s own will still be around to repair and restore instruments.

Brittany Leeper, the shop’s resident repair and restoration expert, will be striking out on her own after seven years working with the Kapellers.

“It’s been a good place to learn and grow and build connections with the Richmond musicians community,” Leeper said.

Leeper, who studied violin-making at Indiana University, plans to open her own repair shop and hopes to keep continuity for Kapeller’s customers. She’s renting a studio at the Build, RVA, a shared workspace near The Diamond and plans to open shortly after Kapeller’s closing.