$15K in guitars stolen from music store in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Back connected July 21, Starving Artist Bistro was robbed of 2 guitars valued astatine $15,000. It's a symptom for the concern -and a greater nonaccomplishment for section musicians.

“Over 2200 performers betwixt the wrong signifier and the extracurricular signifier and 14 grounds deals signed out," Starving Artist Bistro's Bob Sullivan said.

Starving Artist Bistro has been astir for much than a decennary providing musicians with a changeable astatine performing connected an unfastened microphone, and adjacent pursuing a vocation successful music.

On July 21, the concern was deed with a robbery. A antheral walked into the restaurant, got a solid of water, and went to the restroom close adjacent to a partition of guitars.

“But past helium came retired and softly took 2 guitars disconnected the wall. And due to the fact that we're an operating business, the backmost doors person to beryllium unlocked during operating hours for occurrence issues," Sullivan said.

Sullivan says the 2 guitars are worthy $15,000 successful total.

“The 1 that is missing that has a batch of worth to it is simply a Gary Clark Junior Limited variation Epiphone. They lone made 500 of them and helium grabbed that 1 and got a Gibson disconnected the wall," Sullivan said.

But this isn’t the lone robbery that’s impacted Sullivan and his family. His daughter, Brianna, owns Rocket Dog Brats and Brew connected Shaw Avenue. Her concern has been robbed 8 times successful 2024.

“She wants to determination her kids and worldly into a safer environment. And, you know, and we perceive astir a batch of radical permission successful California. We spent the nighttime successful a parking batch implicit determination conscionable waiting," Sullivan said.

Despite this, Sullivan says helium wants to proceed Starving Artist Bistro for section musicians.

“Right present I wage rent and utilities and everything, whether the doors unfastened oregon closed. So the champion happening to bash is support it unfastened and effort to support gross coming in. There's a batch of families to provender retired of here. It acceptable america back, but it didn't halt america from going forward,” Sullivan said.