In February of 1979 Tom and Terri Haggerty moved back to their home town of Rapid City not exactly sure what they would do for a living.  They had moved to Nashville after Tom’s college graduation in hopes of selling Tom’s original country songs.  Tom had grown up playing and singing in multiple rock and country bands throughout high school and college as music was, and still is, his passion. They opened Haggerty’s Musicworks in April of 1979 in the back room of Haggerty’s Department Store.  Tom had two simple goals for his store, to have what musicians wanted, and treat them right when they came in. Business was good and grew quickly.  Soon there were three store locations, two in Rapid City and one in Gillette Wyoming.  The outlaw country music of 1979 gave way to disco briefly then the glorious big hair rock era began!  Tom, his two brothers, and his amazing staff made lifelong friends with area musicians and served them well.  Meanwhile the school instrument business continued to be strong!  Haggerty’s Department Store was closed in 1997 and the music store moved to its current West Main St. location in Rapid City.  In April of this year, forty years from its inception, Haggerty’s Musicworks was sold to Marcus and Amanda Lavake who are proudly carrying on the tradition of having what musicians want and treating them right when they visit the store.

Awards