Local musicians and shoppers will have a place to browse a variety of music-related items and beyond, as well as have a place to talk about music, and possibly promote their own music or art.

Faran Sohappy and his partner, Lisa Spencer, are setting up shop right across from Safeway, a shop called Music & Beyond.

Music & Beyond carries CDs used and new, DVDs, Blu-rays, Blu-ray players, home theatre systems, bluetooth speakers, bluetooth headphones, video games and consoles, comic books, manga, amplifiers, mixers, and more.

They also carry artisanal crafts, such as hand-beaded earrings, paintings by local artists, gift baskets, and more.

"We're excited," Sohappy said. "This is just the beginning."

Sohappy is looking forward to bringing something new to the community, and giving musicians a hub at which to gather.

"I know there's a lot of musicians around here, and just everyday people who want to talk music, and maybe they can't because there's nowhere to go," he said.

Sohappy, himself, is into producing music, is setting up a studio in his house, and has even started his own record label.

"I'm going to be working with musicians," he said. "I already have three clients."

The store will be used to promote both mainstream and local artists, who, Sohappy says, are often better than mainstream acts.

Sohappy is also planning on bringing some bands to the Grand Coulee area to perform, as well as to connect people from the Coulee area to what is happening in Spokane, in part by carrying the free Inlander newspaper and others in his store.

"We go to great lengths to get these magazines," he said.

"I want to make this place successful," Sohappy said. "I've put a lot of time and money and energy into it. I'd really love to see this place grow."

The grand opening of Music & Beyond will be on Thursday, May 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the store on Morrison Street, just off of Midway Avenue, across from Safeway. Sohappy plans to have a mini raffle and a free barbecue at the event.