N Stuff Music in Blawnox expands with Next Door Cafe and Little Lesson House

The beat goes on for the Sarra family.

Bob Sarra and his two sons, Jason and Justin, are co-owners of N Stuff Music, a music instrument store at 468 Freeport Rd. in Blawnox. The business recently expanded to the two buildings on either side of it, which were remodeled into state-of-the art venues, The Little Lesson House and the Next Door Cafe.

“We’ve been in business for 53 years and are very adamant about the customer experience while shopping at N Stuff Music,” said Bob Sarra, 76, of Fox Chapel. “We wanted to offer our customers a comprehensive experience by modernizing and expanding our lesson program and providing a venue for students and local musicians to showcase their skills.”

The men are hopeful the new additions will bring renewed energy to downtown Blawnox.

An unoccupied apartment building next door to N Stuff was once the Maryland Theatre, which closed in 1954. Once used for storage, Jason and Justin spent two years transforming it into Next Door Cafe, a full production, live stream facility with a modern, industrial look.

The Sarras debuted Next Door Cafe in 2019 and have since produced a series of live performances with 100% of the proceeds used to support local music venues.

The cafe seats 125 and offers a professional setting for N Stuff’s music students, offering high-tech sound and lighting.

“Students can showcase their skills in a real concert setting,” Bob Sarra said.

But artists such as Alice Cooper, guitarist Nita Strauss, The Clarks, Joe Grushecky and Houserockers have performed at Next Door Cafe.

A dilapidated house on the other side of the main retail space underwent a complete renovation and was dubbed The Little Lesson House, which contains 10 state-of-the-art soundproof lesson rooms. It opened in 2019.

“The main goal was to have a really comfortable, safe and modern space to learn, teach and perform,”

Justin said. “We now have the coolest music lesson facility around.”

Original artwork by local artist and illustrator Frank Harris is on display throughout Little Lesson House.

“We welcome anyone interested in having their art displayed contact us,” said Jason, 48, of Indiana Township.

In 1968, Bob Sarra founded Piano’s N Stuff. In 2018, with his sons now part of the business, the store was rebranded, dropping the piano reference, and became N Stuff Music.

The store offers three-floors of instruments, mostly new and reconditioned guitars.

Last year N Stuff Music surpassed its goal of enrolling more than 200 students. Acoustic and electric guitar lessons remain most in demand.

“When covid hit we worked really hard to keep our students safe but continue to have the magic of music still in their lives,” said Justin Sarra, 43, of Glenshaw.

Justin Sarra said he and his brother aim to spark a lifelong passion for arts and music in their children.

“Our kids love to come to the store and bring their friends,” he said. “As they get older, they’re starting to learn the family business and will hopefully make us a three-generation family business.”