Italo-American Accordion Manufacturing Company

Had a great time. I came here 2016 on a Saturday morning. As a beginner, this was my first chance to try a variety of accordion brands and see what sound I liked. There were about 50+ on the shelves. One friendly, helpful lady stood at the counter to give me prices out of her book (the accordions didn’t have tags) and another lady asked me about my musical interests and budget constraints to suggest different ones I should try out.
Two master technicians fixed two broken reeds on my old accordion for $ 30.
They also offered to help me sell my brand-​new $ 3000 chromatic accordion on consignment for a 25% cut. Ouch, but oh well.
I did have a different experience the other time I came here on a Tuesday afternoon in ’08. The door was locked and I (a farm kid) didn’t think of getting buzzed in (the «buzzer» is silent by the way). The cranky old lady sitting at the cash register kept gesturing me to come in, and I kept gesturing that it was locked, till she finally screamed loud enough for me to hear: «OPEN THE F***ING DOOR!!!» After that pleasant introduction, I had an awkward, brief run through the place looking for a chromatic accordion, which they didn’t have, so I left.
Glad to see things are more pleasant these days :)

I bought a used accordion from Italo-​American Accordion this week, and had a fantastic experience. The staff was friendly, patient and attentive. They were happy to let me try many models, they didn’t seem to mind coming to attach straps several times to various accordions so I could try them. They were very knowledgeable and tried to find out what issues were most important to me, they didn’t try to steer me into more expensive models that had features that weren’t important to me. They spent a good amount of time finding a hard case that would have the best fit for my accordion. They tried to look up any history they could tell me about the used accordion I bought. After I bought it they brought it back into the shop to give it a quick tune-​up. ‘Poppy’ could see I was interested in the inner workings, so he invited me back and gave me a quick overview. They invited me to come back and play something for them once I got the hang of it.
The store was obviously a family business, and not a slick storefront. I hope they stay around for another 100 years!

Really a wonderful place and resource that embodies the entire history of accordions. With personal links to manufacturers, craftsmen and resources around the world, if they don’t have it — they can get it. I found their staff to be charming and full of information. And they employ a number of craftsmen who have squeeze boxes in their DNA. A Chicago and global treasure.

Nick V was very harsh on Italo-​American, but I had a good experience there. I bought a left-​hand strap and needed a repair, which they did on the spot. I didn’t have to sob-​story them or anything. Yes, the older woman speaks her mind and maybe shouldn’t with strangers, but the bottom line is that I got good service. I wish they had a North Side branch because I would go there more often.

The woman who works there is extremely nasty. And by nasty I mean… just really mean, for no reason except to be mean. We went around the store and looked for some of the more professional accordions, and there was nothing to our liking. A bunch of old, cheap, and odd looking accordions. Even the professional accordions that we found had some age to them. This is not the place to go if you’re looking for the most current models in professional accordions, or even last decades models. The woman never bothered to ask us if we needed any help, in fact I think she was more glued to that TV than anything else.
When we attempted to leave the store, the woman questioned us as to why we weren’t buying anything, to which our reply was «we didn’t find anything that we were very interested in.» Of course, not being rude or polite to an extent on our part, but this woman comes right back with «well…nothing is free here.» A completely uncalled for comment to which my friend asked in a very stern tone to please buzz us out (explained below) and that we’re no longer interested in their services. We then parted ways, without so much as a nod or wave.
That particular area of Oak Lawn is kind of sketchy, but I assume more so during the evening hours. Needless to say you have to buzz in and out of the store from a buzzer under the checkout counter. Which basically makes you feel a little uncomfortable and trapped. The store looks like it hasn’t been updated since the 70s. The only real good thing about this store is parking, there’s plenty of it!
From the stories that I’ve heard from fellow accordionists in the area, as well as accordion shop owners around the US, the woman who works there owns the store and apparently inherited it from her late husband. And apparently some guy comes in every once in a while to take care of accordion repairs, etc. But I have to imagine the original owner/​founder of Italo-​American is turning in their grave right now.
I may try it out again if they have new management, but until then I will find other means to shop for accordions and look for repairs.