West Music CEO Robin Walenta says Griggs CEO, Steve Judge, wants to retire and it makes sense to combine two companies that are so much alike.

"We're super excited about joining together two companies that have a long history and really anticipate servicing the greater Quad City area with more products and services. And we're combining all the talent of the employees from both companies so it should be a really good marriage."
Griggs has 15 employees at its store in Davenport, while West Music has 20 at its Moline location, and a total of 210 adding in its other locations in Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, and Dubuque.
Walenta says Griggs focuses mainly on band and orchestra instruments, while her company handles those, plus pianos, guitars, drums, and amplifiers.
Griggs Music was found in 1903 in Davenport by Arthur Griggs, while West first opened in 1941.