News 12 is spotlighting two popular
businesses in Hudson Valley in honor of National Mom and Pop Business
Owners Day.
Mike Risko and his wife Miriam
Risko are the owners of Mike Risko Music. They have been business
partners for the past two decades.
Their award-winning business doesn’t only
sell musical instruments, but they also teach lessons while operating
a cute music-themed boutique and performance space.
"At first, it really started for the
love of music, and loving and teaching and performing and playing and just kind
of grew into this thing," says Mike Risko.
"I think there's something really
exciting about creating more musicians in the world. So, I feel like being
responsible for so many people that are making music makes me really
happy," says Miriam Risko
Another popular music business is being
highlighted after facing restrictions due to the pandemic.
Michael Pagliaro, the owner of
Ardsley Music, says his business is in full swing thanks to schools and viewers
at home.
"That gives us an
added bonus, that we're doing what we do, loving what we do, with the
people that we also love," says Pagliaro.
Pagliaro is continuing
his father’s business that started 50 years ago.
The U.S. Small Business Administration
estimates there are more than 27 million mom and pop shops nationwide.