Jackson Free Press

Eric Wassilak wears all the hats at Fondren Guitars, a business that serves as a hub for local musicians to buy, play, learn and repair their equipment. He's store manager, handles sales and repairs, schedules lessons for 150 guitar students and heads the store's eBay business. Owner Patrick Harkins calls him the "master of shipping," handling all of the store's international business.

A Chicago native, Wassilak relocated to Phoenix to work for a corporate music store, citing his hometown's cold weather as the main reason for the move. He transferred to Jackson in 2005 through his work but soon left the business, saying the corporate vibe just wasn't for him.

Wassilak got his start at Fondren Guitars the week Harkins went on his honeymoon in May 2008, quickly picking up all the shop's duties. His presence at the store allowed Fondren Guitars to increase its Internet presence and become available internationally.

Personally, Wassilak doesn't feel the need to spread out much farther than the Fondren area. He ditched his car two years ago and walks everywhere he needs to go.

"I live right around the corner, I work right here," he says. "Everything is right here in the neighborhood, although I might work on getting myself a bike."

Fondren Guitars is one of his favorite haunts due to a small group that gathers to play the instruments (and the pinball machine). Then there's Sneaky Beans' coffee every other day, Rooster's daily for lunch and, on the weekends, neighborhood restaurants like Babalu.

Wassilak has become an integral part of the music scene and formed close friendships with many of Fondren's musicians. One of these musician friends, Bobby Sims, recently stepped in the shop to play with Wassilak and Harkins, and offered praise for the two and Fondren Guitars.

"Me being a broke musician, they're always ready to help out if I'm a little bit short," Sims says. "Money is important, but the bottom line is they make good connections with their customers."

Indeed, Wassilak is more than just a businessman. He plays with several local cover bands and with some members of his church, Bellwether Church, where he plays each Sunday. He and Harkins also play for private parties, weddings and charities. He calls himself a fill-in man, usually jumping in to work the bass guitar or keys. The store's next concert, which may feature Wassilak and Harkins (and free beer), will be Thursday, July 7, during Fondren After 5.

In the meantime, Wassilak has enough to keep him busy. "Every day you come in, you might have to send a guitar to Japan, a guitar to Australia, make repairs, reschedule lessons," he says. "But I can't pick a favorite part of this business. ... It's been really good to me, I like where I'm at. I plan on staying here a while."