Roland’s flagship store and first-ever standalone US retail space is opening in New York City this October

Roland is staking its brick-and-mortar claim in the US with its first official flagship store. The shop will open next month in New York City, offering close up experiences with new products, education, and other experiences from Roland and its owned brands, BOSS and Drum Workshop.

The 9,000-square-foot space will feature a main showroom, displaying the full range of Roland products, including pianos, drums, guitars, synthesizers, dance/DJ equipment, and an area dedicated to Roland Cloud. There will be the first grand piano showroom and the first Drum Workshop showroom, each dedicated to the premium products for these respective brands, available to try then and there. There will also be the BOSS Cavern, allowing for guitarists to try out the brand’s effects and pedals in an immersive sound environment.

But the first thing visitors will see upon entering is a tribute to arguably Roland’s most revered product: the TR-808 Rhythm Composer. The exhibit will go into the 808’s history in New York, where hip-hop was born. There will also be 30-minute one-to-one sessions available for an in-depth look at the techniques and influence of the 808. But get there soon to check it out, because the shop will rotate out different pieces of gear to highlight.

However, for anyone looking to learn about the products they have available to purchase, there will be workshops, one-on-one sessions, after-sales training, and more options, all guided by Roland staff.

And for anyone who comes back again, the store won’t look or sound the same. Roland Soundscapes, an AI-powered system, adapts the environment to movement, MIDI input, time of day, and even the weather. A trip to Roland New York when it opens next month will be completely different than during Christmas when it’s time to look for presents.

“New York has long been a place where new sounds, ideas, and creative movements take shape, making it a natural home for Roland’s U.S. flagship store,” said Masahiro Minowa, CEO of the Roland Corporation. “Roland has always been committed to pushing music forward, and this store gives us a new way to share that spirit with musicians and creators while bringing our global retail experience to one of the world’s most important cultural centres.”

“Roland Store New York City gives us the opportunity to bring our brands and our people closer to the musicians and creators who make New York such an important part of the global music community,” says Manuele Barbini, CEO of Roland Americas.

“We’re excited to give musicians, producers, and creators in New York a space where they can explore the latest Roland, BOSS, and DW innovations, connect with our team, and be part of a new creative hub for the city.”

While no official opening date has been announced, the invite-only grand opening ceremony will take place on October 10. When the store does become available to the public, its hours will be 11am to 7pm, Monday through Sunday.

Learn more at Roland. 

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