There’s a certain comfort in walking into a music store that’s been around longer than most of its customers—Long & McQuade has been a fixture in Canada’s music scene since 1956, and its four Calgary locations make it a go-to for local musicians. Here’s what you need to know before you visit.

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Calgary store locations: 4 (Chinook, East, Royal Vista, Seton) ·
Year founded: 1956 ·
Canadian owned: Yes ·
Products: Instruments, audio equipment, accessories, lessons ·
Music lessons offered: Yes (guitar, piano, drums, etc.) ·
Online shopping: Available

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of employees per store
  • Specific lesson pricing (varies by instructor)
  • Exact inventory differences between Calgary stores
  • Current special promotions and job openings
3Timeline signal
  • 1956: Company founded in Toronto, Ontario (Long & McQuade history)
  • Calgary stores opened progressively over decades; Chinook is the flagship at over 23,000 sq ft (Chinook store page)
4What’s next
  • New Calgary Seton location recently added, expanding coverage in the southeast (Seton store page)
  • Ongoing lesson programs and seasonal promotions likely (Seton store page)

Six key facts about Long & McQuade, one pattern: the company remains fiercely Canadian and family-run while expanding its Calgary footprint.

Attribute Details
Founded 1956
Headquarters Mississauga, Ontario
Calgary locations 4 (Chinook, East, Royal Vista, Seton)
Parent company Long & McQuade Ltd.
CEO Steve Long (family-owned)
Canadian owned Yes

How many locations do Long and McQuade have?

Long & McQuade operates over 100 stores across Canada, with four in the Calgary area alone (Long & McQuade locations page). Each location is a full-service store offering sales, lessons, rentals, and repairs.

Long & McQuade Calgary store count

  • Calgary Chinook – 225 58 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0N8 (Chinook store page)
  • Calgary East – 3404 5 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2A 5N8 (East store page)
  • Calgary Royal Vista – 10 Royal Vista Drive NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0N2 (Royal Vista store page)
  • Calgary Seton – 3755 Market St SE, Calgary, AB T3M 2P2 (Seton store page)

Are there other Long & McQuade locations in Canada?

Yes, the chain has stores in every province, with a strong presence in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta (store locator).

Bottom line: Long & McQuade maintains four Calgary stores—up from three in older materials—offering comprehensive coverage across the city. For local musicians, the choice is between the massive Chinook flagship and the newer Seton location in the southeast.

The implication: Calgary musicians can access the full range of services at any store, but the Chinook flagship offers the broadest inventory.

Is Long & McQuade an American company?

No. Long & McQuade is a wholly Canadian company, founded in 1956 by John and Patricia Long and John McQuade (Long & McQuade About Us). The headquarters remain in Mississauga, Ontario, and the company is privately held by the Long family.

Long & McQuade’s Canadian roots

Every aspect of the business—from ownership to supply chain—is Canadian. The company does not have any American ownership or parent group.

How Long & McQuade compares to U.S. music retailers

Unlike Guitar Center (American) or Sweetwater (U.S.-based), Long & McQuade is exclusively focused on the Canadian market and tailors its inventory and pricing accordingly.

Bottom line: For Canadian shoppers, Long & McQuade is the home-team alternative to cross-border chains. Its Canadian ownership means pricing and policies align with local market conditions.

The pattern: Long & McQuade’s Canadian identity is a core differentiator in a market dominated by American competitors.

What products does Long & McQuade sell?

The chain carries everything from entry-level student instruments to professional-grade gear. Brands include Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, Roland, and many more (brand list on official site).

Instruments

  • Guitars (acoustic, electric, bass)
  • Drums and percussion
  • Keyboards and digital pianos
  • Brass and woodwinds
  • Orchestral strings

Audio and recording equipment

PA systems, studio monitors, microphones, mixers, and lighting gear are available at all Calgary locations.

Rentals and used gear

Each store offers instrument rentals (month-to-month or term) and a selection of used equipment (rental information page).

Bottom line: Whether you need a beginner violin or a pro audio rig, Long & McQuade Calgary stores stock a wide range. The rental program makes it easy to try before buying.

What this means: Calgary musicians have a one-stop shop for gear, lessons, and rentals under the same roof.

Who is the owner of Long and McQuade?

The company was founded by John Long, Patricia Long, and John McQuade. Today it is owned and operated by the Long family, with Steve Long serving as CEO (official About page). It remains a private, family-run business.

Long & McQuade ownership history

After founding in 1956, the business grew organically through Canadian expansion. The McQuade family eventually exited, leaving the Longs as sole owners.

Private vs public company

Long & McQuade is privately held, with no public stock. This allows the company to focus on long-term service rather than quarterly earnings.

Bottom line: For customers, family ownership means consistent policies and a commitment to local communities. The absence of shareholder pressure keeps the focus on service, not margins.

The catch: While family-run stability is a plus, it also means less transparency on financial performance compared to public retailers.

Does Long & McQuade offer music lessons in Calgary?

Yes, all four Calgary stores have dedicated Music Lesson Centres. Instructors teach guitar, piano, drums, violin, voice, and more (Calgary East lesson centre info).

Lesson programs offered

  • Private lessons (30, 45, or 60 minutes)
  • Beginner to advanced levels
  • Children and adults welcome

How to sign up for lessons at Calgary stores

Contact the lesson centre directly by phone or text. For example, Calgary Chinook’s lesson centre is at (403) 252-8506 (Chinook store page). Pricing varies by instructor, so call for current rates.

Bottom line: For Calgary musicians looking to learn, Long & McQuade offers accessible, in-store instruction. The direct lesson-centre contact makes booking straightforward.

The pattern: Each store’s lesson centre is independently staffed, so local booking and pricing can vary—calling ahead is essential.

Confirmed facts

  • Long & McQuade is Canadian, founded 1956 (official About page)
  • Four Calgary stores: Chinook, East, Royal Vista, Seton (locations page)
  • All stores offer lessons, rentals, repairs (Calgary East page)
  • Family-owned by the Longs (About Us)

What remains unclear

  • Exact per-store employee count
  • Specific lesson pricing
  • Current inventory differences between stores
  • Current job openings details

“Long & McQuade has been serving Canadian musicians for over 65 years, with a focus on quality products and expert service.”

— Company website (Long & McQuade About Us)

“Our Calgary East team is excited to welcome new students to our lesson centre—great instructors and a supportive environment.”

— Calgary East store manager via Facebook (Facebook page)

For Calgary musicians, the choice of where to shop, learn, or rent comes down to convenience and inventory depth. The Chinook location is the largest at over 23,000 square feet, while Seton offers a newer, more accessible option in the southeast. The real trade-off: time spent driving versus the chance to browse a physically larger selection. For local residents, the recommendation is clear: pick the store closest to you, but for serious gear shopping, make the trip to Chinook.

Bottom line: Long & McQuade’s Calgary presence is now four locations strong, giving the city’s music community ample access to instruments, lessons, and repairs. For shoppers: the Chinook flagship offers the widest selection; for lessons, any store works—book directly with the lesson centre. The chain’s Canadian roots mean you’re supporting a local institution with every purchase.
Additional sources

long-mcquade.com, long-mcquade.com, long-mcquade.com

For a complete overview of all four stores and their services, check out this guide to Long & McQuade Calgary.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Long & McQuade’s return policy?

Returns are accepted within 30 days with original packaging and receipt, subject to inspection (official returns policy).

Does Long & McQuade price match?

Yes, the chain offers a price match guarantee on identical items in stock at competitors (price match details).

Can I order online and pick up in store in Calgary?

Yes, free in-store pickup is available at any Calgary location (shipping & pickup info).

Are there any student discounts available?

Long & McQuade occasionally offers student promotions, primarily through lesson bundles and rental credit programs. Call your local store for current offers.

Does Long & McQuade offer instrument rentals in Calgary?

Yes, each store rents band & orchestra instruments, guitars, keyboards, and more on a monthly or term basis (rental page).

How do I book a music lesson at a Calgary store?

Contact the lesson centre of your chosen store by phone or text. For Chinook: (403) 252-8506; East: (587) 296-6648; Royal Vista: (587) 794-3196; Seton: (403) 252-8282 (store main line).

What brands does Long & McQuade carry for guitars?

Major brands include Fender, Gibson, Taylor, Martin, Yamaha, Ibanez, and many more (full brand list).

Is there a loyalty program at Long & McQuade?

There is no formal loyalty points program, but the store offers a “reward credit” via its student lesson referral program and periodic in-store credit promotions.