Sunset Music Company is a small music store that had its beginnings in 1948 with Jerry Thomas. He began with a piano studio and a waiting room. He was asked to have records on consignment on display in the waiting room and one day, someone came in and asked for a set of guitar strings. Mr. Thomas went out and bought a set to sell. He gradually built up the stock so that in 1960, he opened a full-fledge store. Though the store no longer sells records as its main product--the original sign with records on it still hangs on the building--we still sell record needles.

Always located on Irving Street, it has been in its present and third location for 23 years. Mr. Thomas retired in 1988 and its present owner, Evelyn Masuda grew up with the store, went to SFSU for a Bachelor's of Music, taught and performed in the area as a pianist and violinist, and works as the pianist at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church in Daly City. (www.broadmoorpres.org)