Audio Emporium Newsletter 1-1-2007

 

Mike Scott       

     As we turn the page to 2007 we must look back at what has been a very quick year. January 18, 2006 started out like any other day at AE. Our Marantz reps, Jeff Wilner and Jim Smerz visited Mike and me in the morning before the store opened. As is their custom, Jeff & Jim showed us all the new products that would be coming out and extolled their virtues. As is our custom Mike & I teased them mercilessly about everything we could think of. It’s always a fun exchange because all four of us have been in the business forever. We all pretty well know which flags being run up the pole will fly, and which ones won’t, long before the products come out. It was a typical lively, combative session. We shook hands and booted Jeff & Jim out before the store officially opened.

 

     As we closed the door at 6pm Mike & I said, “See ya” to each other as we had over four thousand times since 1990. Mike left here a little after 6pm. He stopped for groceries on the way home. It was a quick stop, he was back in the car by about 6:40. At about 7pm he suffered a brain aneurysm as he was driving down Lake Drive. He managed to get his car out of traffic and get out of the car, but he lost consciousness. Traffic checkers found him soon thereafter and called 911. He was in St. Mary’s by the Lake by 7:30. The official time of death was after 1 a.m.

 

     Mike’s wife of one year, Beki, called me the next morning as I was driving to work. It’s one of those calls you can’t believe. Here we are a year later, and I still can’t believe it.

 

     Mike is a guy who enjoyed a lot of things. Whether it was movies, music, golf, the Packers, or something he was planning to do with Beki or his daughter Kelly, I rarely heard Mike say an unkind word in 16 years. Mike always parked under the same tree in our lot so the sun wouldn’t fade the color of his car. It’s in the back a bit. A few times in the past year a customer or two has parked there before we opened and as I walked to the door to open- had just thought Mike beat me in that day.

 

     2006 was a very good year business wise. Plasmas have come down in price. Receivers and DVD players are better and more reasonable than ever. The sound and picture we can offer has substantially improved. But, holy cow, it’s gone by so quickly. Beki & Kelly stopped in to say hi last week. All I’m ever gonna remember about 2006 is the tragic and stunning loss of Mike Scott.

 

Tivoli Music System $600

     Tivoli has been promising a very fine, all in one, Music System for several years. Finally, after all of their promises, we have it!

     We only got a couple before Christmas for those lucky shoppers. But another batch has just hit the door.

     If you’re interested in a small office or bedroom system, this is worth considering. It has AM/FM & CD built in. It has stereo speakers on board and a down firing sub with its own level control. It has an aux input for your IPOD. There is a built in clock with two alarms. It comes with a remote that operates all the major functions. It is finished in an elegant piano black.

 

     Check out p.21 on our catalog for a photo and more details. We would have liked the mother lode to have landed pre Christmas but… better late than never.

AUDIO EMPORIUM.COM