Riviera Music Opens New Music Retail Concept on State Street

Music fans in Santa Barbara have a reason to rejoice.

Riviera Music, a new addition to the city’s music scene, is offering local musicians and music enthusiasts more than just a place to buy gear; it also offers lessons and recording services all under the same roof.

Located at the El Mercado Shopping Center on State Street, Riviera Music held a formal grand opening event on May 9, 2026, featuring live music, raffles, and other fun-filled activities, although the store had already begun operations.

In addition to showcasing their own musical gear and instruments, the store invited customers to bring their own guitars and equipment to share, trade, and sell.

Founded by Emile Millar, Riviera Music officially opened its doors in July 2025.

The store seeks to cater to every kind of musician, whether they are just starting out or are expert professionals.

The store offers new and vintage guitars, amplifiers, keyboards, ukuleles, and accessories from brands including Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Fender, Guild, Yamaha, Supro, Roland, and Orange, according to its website.

All used and vintage guitars are pre-owned certified.

Riviera Music also offers a wide range of guitar pedals, cables, and accessories.

Alongside its wide variety of guitars, Riviera Music also has a professional repair facility, led by expert luthier and guitar technician John Mooy.

Prices for setups are $95 and include intonation, neck and saddle adjustment, electronics, fret polish and conditioning, and minor repairs. While string replacement will cost $50 along with strings and include fret conditioning and polishing.

The store also offers re-frets, pickup replacements, crack repairs, and neck resets.

More Than Just a Guitar Shop

In addition to retail sales, Riviera Music also operates a music learning center.

The shop offers private and group lessons in guitar, piano, keyboard, ukulele, and bass.

Group keyboard lessons are priced at $300 per student and include all learning materials.

Riviera Music also offers personalized, one-on-one learning experiences for students interested in learning guitar, piano, bass, and ukulele. Private lessons are priced at $50 for 30 minutes, or $75 for 45 minutes.

Group lessons are available for children aged between six and 13 and are held Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Providing more options than just a music store, Riviera Music also features a recording and production studio for those interested in recording and learning about music production.

Further diversifying its offerings, the store offers songwriting and production lessons, where students can work with music producers and studio engineers and learn how to produce and record their own songs, while receiving hands-on instruction.

Filling a Five-Decade Void

Riviera Music’s opening comes at a significant moment for Santa Barbara’s music community, as the new store fills the void left by the closure of Jensen Music Store in September 2025.

Founded in 1972 by Chris Jensen, the store at the De La Vina Street closed after serving Santa Barbara for over 50 years.

Reflecting on the influence that music stores like Jensen Music and others had on him in the mid-1980s, Riviera Music owner Millar Jensen Music was “more than a shop, it was an institution.”

He credited Jensen for creating a space that left a lasting impact on local musicians and said Jensen Music Store will always be his favorite guitar shop.