Photo by Derek Redd C.A. House Music has been named to the National Association of Music Merchant’s Top 100 list for the 10th straight year.

C.A. House Music has, for the 10th straight year, been included on a worldwide list of the top 100 music retailers for its commitment to serving the Ohio Valley community.

Yet those at C.A. House said it’s the community that has allowed the store to reach such lofty levels.

The National Association of Music Merchants recently announced its top 100 music dealers, with C.A. House joining the prestigious group for the 10th straight time.

NAMM is a global, not-for-profit trade association that represents more than 15,000 member companies in more than 100 countries and territories.

Those who make the top 100 list are honored for their exceptional customer service, community engagement, and innovative retail practices.

Melissa Ceo, director at C.A.House Music said it was wonderful to be recognized once again for the employees’ hard work.

“We wouldn’t be anywhere without the people in our community that we work with and the people that come in and hang out and play music with us on a daily basis,” she said.

“I won’t lie, it feels pretty awesome, but so much of that is because of the people in our community.”

C.A. House was founded in 1872 and is one of the oldest family-owned music retailers in the United States.

On top of its St. Clairsville headquarters, C.A. House also has locations in Parkersburg, Zanesville and Lancaster.

Ceo also lauded the thriving and diverse music community of the Ohio Valley that has embraced C.A. House.

Not only does it house the successful Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, but its country music scene, shown in the decades-long run of Jamboree in the Hills, is strong. Other genres also have gained a good foothold.

“That speaks to what the heart of music is,” Ceo said. “It’s inclusive. That’s why music in our schools is so important, because it’s a place that accepts every kid.

“You can play an instrument even if you’re not a top track star or top tennis star,” she continued. “I think we see a lot of inclusivity, starting in our local schools, and it really does reflect in our local scene.”

Even with a decade’s worth of international honors under its belt, Ceo said C.A. House isn’t about to rest on its laurels. Innovation and evolution are keys to staying at the front of the pack. Employees maintain a strong and constant dialogue with customers, Ceo said, asking them about areas where they can improve or what they can add to the C.A. House inventory.

“Competition is never a bad thing, because it makes you strive to be better,” Ceo said. “And I think that is also true with being in competition with yourself. We are always looking for ways to improve.

“To best serve our customers, we have to innovate,” she continued. “Nobody ever wants to go backwards. We really try to listen to the people around us so we’re able to keep innovating and keep getting better.”