Clinton Small Business Spotlight: Paul Neri Lutherie

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Paul Neri Lutherie
Owners: Paul Neri
Website: None
Address: 146 Ironworks Rd., Clinton

How did you come up with the name?

Lutherie was originally a word meaning “a place where lutes are repaired” in France. It is now used by the greater string instrument repair and building community.

Why start a business in this town?

It is where I live and I conduct business from my home.

What business are you in?

Repairing all forms of string instruments, typically acoustic and electric guitars as well as mandolins, banjos, ukuleles and violins.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Keeping very demanding musicians happy.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

Keeping 99 percent of my clients happy and retained as repeat visitors to my shop as well as the strong word of mouth business I have developed.

How does your business give back to the community?

I donate instruments for auctions to non profits like The Henry Carter Hull library and the Clinton Arts Project. I take out business ads in local playbills, sports fundraisers and music concerts. I have given educational talks about my craft to elementary schools. I also perform for benefits to raise money for everything from building a new Clinton Beach playground, Henry Carter Hull Library to The Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.