Steinway makes its way to NWA

Steinway & Sons, the iconic piano retailer and manufacturer, has opened its second Arkansas retail store in Fayetteville.

The New York-based company is leasing about 2,000 square feet inside a 17,130-square-foot building at 4155 N. Steele Boulevard in Fayetteville. It will feature a retail showroom and a small performance space available for recitals and events.

According to Washington County property records, RPC Properties LLC owns the building.

Stephen Wirges of Little Rock owns the Fayetteville store and another in central Arkansas. He’s been Steinway’s exclusive representative in the state since 2012.

“It’s very exciting to expand our reach into Northwest Arkansas and to become more involved in the arts of this vibrant region,” Wirges said in a news release. “I have been coming to the Ozarks since I was a child to listen to folk music, and I now see a growing interest in classical and jazz here, as well.

“Bringing Steinway to Fayetteville is an opportunity to contribute to the long tradition of music in the Ozarks. We’re looking forward to many years of local musical partnerships.”

Wirges said 11 employees/contractors staff the central Arkansas store. Three of them will split time staffing the Fayetteville store.

“I have trained our moving and service crews at our [Mayflower] location,” he said. “Our moving crew will also work at our NWA location, and I will likely start training someone in the piano tuning and technical field for that store.”

As a factory-authorized Steinway dealer, the Fayetteville store handles sales and service for the piano line, from concert grands to traditional uprights. The showroom also offers Steinway-designed Boston and Essex pianos.