Robert Brooks, founder and owner of Brooks Acoustic and Guitar Restoration in Hawk Point, is hosting a grand opening and working on a fundraiser for The Healing Box project. 

Brooks is a certified luthier, or someone who builds or repairs stringed instruments. Brooks Acoustic and Guitar Restoration redecorated the shop at 175 Lincoln Trail and launched a new website. The site features “The Brooks Blog,” Robert’s periodic updates on guitars going through restorations.

Brooks is hosting a grand opening from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the store. The day will feature music by Kevin Babb, snacks, gifts for first 25 guests, tours of the shop, close-up views of his work, instruments guests can play, including a full custom acoustic guitar make from koa wood. Brooks is offering special pricing on most of the stock as part of the celebration.  

“I have been able to restore guitars that others would never touch, including an acoustic guitar that was smashed into several pieces and that somehow survived sitting in flood waters,” Brooks said. 

Brooks calls these types of restorations the “sleeper conversions,” a process similar to converting a car with an unassuming exterior to a high-performance hotrod.

Local guitarists Alex Day, Dillon Wilfong and Joe Fry have all employed Brooks Acoustic and Guitar Restoration, as has Kevin Babb, who has been particularly thankful. 

“This guy will blow your mind with some of the things he’s doing,” he said. 

The things Robert Brooks has been doing to heal “injured” guitars seemed a natural fit with The Healing Box Project, the rehabilitation program founded by Dave and CJ Dunklee of Troy. The organization provides guitars and guitar lessons as part of the rehabilitation process for healing veterans. Their motto is, “Bringing healing to soldiers, one guitar at a time.”

“Dave and CJ are always looking for support to help them get guitars into the hands of veterans,” Brooks said.

Brooks decided to work with The Healing Box Project to provide his services to veterans. 

“I came across (a) broken Keith Urban guitar that had the headstock completely broken off and a couple of holes in it where it had controls for a pickup,” he said. “So, I’ve decided to go ahead and do a sleeper conversion on the Keith Urban guitar that I’m fixing up to donate to the Healing Box Project.”

For more information about Brooks Acoustic and Guitar Restoration, LLC, call 636-297-4367, or visit the website. 

Robert Brooks, founder and owner of Brooks Acoustic and Guitar Restoration of Hawk Point.