The store, located at 114 S. Genesee St. in downtown Waukegan, looked, and sounded much different on Nov. 9 during its grand opening celebration.

Co-owner Mark MacLeod tinkered with the keys on one of the Perzina pianos for sale at the store, demonstrating for anyone within earshot what many critics and aficionados say is among the best models of the instrument in the world.

About 60 people attended the grand opening, which ushered in the only store of its kind in Lake County, and northern Illinois, for that matter.

The availability of several Perzina models is one of the features that makes Family Piano Co. unique.

The brand has been a staple in Europe since the 1870s, but did not become available in the US. until recently.

Alice Alviani who partnered with MacLeod on the venture, said the closest stores that offer Perzina pianos are in Green Bay, Wis. and Madison, Wis.

"They sound gorgeous," she said. "You can't help but fall in love with them."

Gary Trafton, managing director of Piano Marketing Group, LLC, cited the models soundboard, which is made 'from Austrian white spruce, and its superior craftsmanship as reasons for the buzz. Trafton is a distributor for Family Piano.

White spruce trees, he explained, are found at an elevation where the trees grow slower, causing the rings in the wood to form closer together than at lower elevations. This makes for a higher-quality sound.

Chris Vance, president of the California-based Piano Empire, partnered with Piano Marketing Group to distribute the Perzina models to Alviani and MacLeod. Along with the availability of a sought-after brand, Vance said, the passion the co-owners have for their new business would lead to success.

"They have dynamic personalities and [are] wonderful people," he said. "They're hardworking [and] they're technicians so they know pianos."

MacLeod and Alviani have been working as technicians for 23 and 12 years respectively.

Aside from the Perzina brand, the store offers quality used pianos and moderately priced new models as well, Alviani said. Family Piano Co also sells electric keyboards and player pianos.

MacLeod, who was trained at the American Conservatory of Music, will offer six months of free lessons to teenagers and adults who purchase a piano at the store. Both he and Alviani also will offer tuning, repair and restoration services.

Alviani explained that the major goal of Family Piano Co would be to involve as many people in music as possible.

"We very sincerely want to help families," she said. "Mark and I are totally convinced that our lives personally would have been a mess if we hadn't had music in our teens and 20s. Music is just so important to my spirit, and I think there are so many people that are really hungry for that."