On Friday March 3, 2017, Larsen Music’s John Larsen announced in a statement on the Larsen Music Facebook page his intention to retire and sell the business. In the statement Larsen said, “My desire is to see the business carry on, and I hope that someone with energy, passion and vision takes it over to continue to Bring Music to Life in Victoria and throughout Vancouver Island.”
Larsen, 74, has run Larsen Music for twenty years. In 1996 he opened at 1808 Cook street after originally starting the business out of his home. In 2005 he move the music store across the street to a property that was formerly a church. The other space became a music school.
On May 31, Victoria’s Times Colonist published an article about Larsen’s retirement, his legacy and the sale of the property/business.
On June 8, Larsen Music announced that the store would be closing as of July 30, 2017.