Staff Reports
Quintana’s Music Center, a locally owned music store serving Downtown Gallup and the Four Corners region, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Amex Shop Small® Grant from American Express and Main Street America. The $20,000 grant, which they recieved in May, will support major improvements to the store’s music lesson facilities, including upgraded soundproofing for lesson rooms, while also helping expand inventory with the addition of Fender USA guitars.
The investment will enhance the learning experience for students and create a more professional teaching environment for instructors, while also giving local musicians greater access to one of the most respected guitar brands in the world without having to travel outside the region.
“We are incredibly excited and honored to receive such a competitive and sought-after grant,” Quintana’s Music Center’s owner Rhonda Quintana said. “Improving our lesson rooms will create a better experience for both our students and teachers, and bringing Fender USA products to Gallup is something we know our customers have been waiting for. This grant allows us to continue growing while better serving musicians and music lovers throughout our community.”
Since opening, Quintana’s Music Center has remained committed to supporting music education, community sponsorships, and the local arts through instrument sales, lessons, events, and community partnerships. The Amex Shop Small® Grant will help further that mission while continuing to strengthen Downtown Gallup as a destination for arts and culture.
The program was initially launched with a $5 million contribution to support 250 small businesses in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Through a Small Business Saturday giving pledge, an additional $1 million was given to the grant program for eligible transactions made on Small Business Saturday, and American Express contributed an additional $5.1 million—expanding the program’s reach and impact to small businesses and the communities they serve.
The 505 recipients reflect the vitality of U.S. small businesses, spanning industries from retail and food service to healthcare and professional services. Grant funding will enable recipients to grow and innovate by expanding operations, investing in critical upgrades, and introducing new offerings.
“Small businesses play a vital role in our communities,” Jennifer Skyler, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for American Express, said. “The Shop Small Grants Program builds on our longstanding commitment to small businesses, which began with Small Business Saturday, by putting meaningful investment behind the people and places that drive local impact.”
