Star City Music, which officially opened its doors on the first day of September, is the latest business on Front Street in Catasauqua.

"We looked at 20 places before we found this location," said Roger Exposito, one of the partners. "As soon as I stepped across the threshold, I knew this was the right place. For us, this location was better than anything in Bethlehem or Easton."

Referring to the usual business complaint, Exposito said parking is not a problem.

"We are a specialty shop. Some of our customers just want to stop in and get something for their instrument. They don't want to park in some parking garage," he said.

Star City has one type of customer in mind – musicians.

"We are musicians ourselves and we enjoy being around other musicians," said Rob Stocklas, a partner in the venture.

The one characteristic that attracted the owners to the Front Street location is the collection of small business owners.

"We like the idea that the owner is in the store. We don't want to be some large store," said Stocklas.

Exposito wants local musicians to know they are welcome to come into the store for a jam session.

"Maybe we can get an impromptu session going out on the sidewalk so everyone can enjoy it," he said.

Star City offers lessons to beginners and experienced players alike.

"We are trying to recruit a renowned Philadelphia jazz guitarist who moved up here. Our instructors are in their mid to late 20s and have experience in the music business," said Stocklas.

Exposito is actively recruiting local high school band directors to offer assistance.

"We have a lot to offer. Our rental rates are reasonable, even for large instruments like a tuba. Plus, we have everything for a marching band, including the shoes, sabers and flags," he said.

Exposito's experience as a marching band coordinator gave him another idea that Star City will implement next year.

"Something always goes wrong at band competitions; we want to put together a truck that can be at the competition equipped with instruments and marching equipment that would be available for band members," he said.

The store sells and rents affordable instruments.

"We don't have any $3,000 guitars because that isn't our market," said Exposito.

The instruments the store rents are also in excellent condition.

"We usually suggest that a beginning musician rent the instrument first; he can purchase the instrument if he likes it and we will apply a portion of the rental toward the purchase," said Stocklas. The store carries consignments at greatly reduced prices.

Star City additionally offers a service directed at local bands.

"What I can do with percussion instruments is recondition them to new at a fraction of the cost of a new instrument. With school budgets being cut, it's a cost-effective way to keep the instruments in playable condition. When I complete the process, most students will think they are new instruments," said Stocklas.

The service is not just for schools.

"We can provide our percussion reconditioning service to anyone that needs it," he said.

Star City also offers schools a rebate based on the amount they spend.

"We cut the schools a check at the end of the year for their music program based on how much they spend with us," said Exposito.

The business has sponsored the Star Cross Youth Performing Arts program for three years now.

"I was told when we started this group that there wasn't enough talent in the Lehigh Valley to put together a competitive group, but, at our competition this year, the girls team took away a gold medal and the percussionist group had a silver in their first year of competition," said Exposito.

Star Cross has grown from seven participants to 60 in three years. The youngest members of the group are 12 and the cutoff age is 20.

"Working with the kids is great; they will practice for hours to get their routines down and their dedication really shows in the competitions," said Exposito.