CULLMAN, Ala. – Attendees came together at Cotton Creek Venue on May 14 for a ribbon cutting and live music event to celebrate the opening of Hagar Guitars, a custom guitar business started by Greg and Candace Hagar.
The Hagars said their business started because of Greg’s lifelong love for guitars and music.
Greg said he grew up in a family where music was always present, which inspired his early interest in guitars. “I’ve always had guitars in my blood and in my family.”
The couple said the business officially started when Candace encouraged Greg to turn his hobby into something bigger. After Greg built guitars and got positive feedback, Candace helped by getting a business license and supporting the company’s growth. At the event, visitors could see the handcrafted guitars and also enjoy live demonstrations and performances that showed off the instruments’ sound and quality.
“We really wanted to highlight the abilities of these guitars and the experienced hands and talent that we have up here today,” Greg said.
The event featured local musicians who have supported Hagar Guitars from the beginning. The Hagars said some of these musicians had helped show off the guitars and promote the business before. The couple said being involved in the community is a key part of their business and helps Hagar Guitars stand out from bigger stores.
“I think that Hagar Guitars offers something you can’t get in a big box store,” Candace said. “There’s been a relationship built with the customers.”
Greg said they hoped visitors left with a real appreciation for how well their guitars are made and how good they sound. “I hope they see that our guitars are as quality as they can be. That they cannot just look good, but play well, too.”
Find Hagar Guitars on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hagar.guitars.
