Violin shop doesn't bow to fire

Bischofberger Violins in Capitol Hill used to resemble a museum, with antique string instruments hanging on dark, wood-paneled walls and wrought-iron chandeliers dangling over display cases packed with violins and cellos.

The violin shop doesn't resemble a museum anymore, but owners say they're just glad the 45-year-old business is still operating.

The chances of that happening were slim after a four-alarm fire gutted most of the landmark shop's contents June 13. The shop's owners scrambled to keep the business open and two days after the fire, the shop had officially changed locations - from the century-old Victorian house on East John Street to a small storefront on 12th Avenue East.

Fortunately for the store's owners, they didn't have to look far. The business moved to its original location at 1830 12th Ave. E., a property owned by the Bischofbergers.

And business is as busy as ever, owners said.

"The more established you are, the better you can ride things out," said Henry Bischofberger, who co-owns the shop with his father and brother.

The fire that began in a neighboring house destroyed the shop's main showroom, which was filled with cellos, other stringed instruments and accessories. The shop lost its entire extensive cello collection - between 30 and 40 instruments, said Bischofberger.

Seattle Fire Department officials at the time estimated damage to the shop was between $300,000 and $350,000.

The vacant house where the fire started was demolished by the flames, and a Christmas merchandise store nearby was also damaged.

Bischofberger said insurance covered most of the damage to his shop, but the full extent of the damage still hasn't been determined. He and the other owners are still taking inventory and don't know exactly what's been lost.

But he said that since the fire the shop has continued to repair, rent and sell violins and cellos almost at its previous pace. Currently they have it has about 1,000 instruments out on rent. And they've already started accumulating a cello collection, now at six instruments and growing.

"When you think about it," he said, "we're really not wiped out. We're here."

Swiss immigrant Hermann Bischofberger opened Bischofberger Violins on Capitol Hill in 1955 before moving to East John Street in 1970.

Even though the shop moved to a bigger space in 1970, Bischofberger has owned the 12th Avenue East building ever since and has rented it out to different businesses. The most recent tenants owned a bookstore, Henry Bischofberger said. The store's lease had expired just before the fire, and the shop was empty.

Some of the violin shop's long-time customers have even commented about the shop's return to its former location, said Henry Bischofberger, Hermann's son. Clients like that, he said, and a strong showing of support from the close-knit Capitol Hill community helped smooth the transition.

"People still know us and people still care for us," he said. "For a business that's been around as long as us, it's a help."