A new owner and name for Ron's Guitars

Groton - Ron's Guitars is now Groton Guitars, as one of the region's most well-known music stores changed hands this week.

Brian Oddi, a member of the rock band The Kluge and former owner of Doug's Appliance & Repair in East Lyme, began operating the business Wednesday.

"Music was my first real passion," Oddi said in a phone interview.

So when he saw that Ron and Cathy Apicelli were closing up shop after 28 years in business, he made an offer for the inventory of Ron's Guitars. Apicelli had previously said he wouldn't sell the Ron's Guitars name, preferring to keep it in the family.

Oddi, who bought the Doug's Appliance business in 1995 from Doug Wardlaw, said he was closing down the repair shop to concentrate on the Long Hill Road music store he is leasing from the Apicellis.

An adjoining lesson-studio space will remain open, run by the Apicellis' daughter, Kym.

Oddi said he plans few changes to the store, which he has frequented for more than 25 years. Even Ron's two employees, Clint Verville and Scott Daimler, will remain with the store.

"I never did become a rock star," said the East Lyme resident. "And at the age of 42 that's probably not going to happen."

l.howard@theday.com