Gratz Piano got its start in the Berkeley area of San Francisco. After earning his degree in archaeology from the University of California at Berkeley, Michael Gratz returned to his first love - music. Studying at the renowned North Bennett Street School, under the tutelage of William Garlick, R.P.T. (Registered Piano Technician) in Boston, he augmented his musical knowledge with a two-year intensive course in piano rebuilding and tuning. He then returned to Berkeley where he opened the first Gratz Shop. It soon earned a reputation for fine workmanship, attention to detail and dependability.

One day love walked in the door. Her name was Cheryl and she was from Hebron, Indiana. After their fourth child was born, the family opted to move to Northwest Indiana. Here their fifth child - and the new Gratz Piano - was born. In 1986 Michael opened his first Northwest Indiana location, in Downtown Valparaiso.

The continuing growth brought the ubiquitous growing pains, which were alleviated in the fall of 1999 with the opening of Northwest Indiana's largest piano showroom at 704 N. Silhavy Road in Valparaiso.

To see a glimpse of the 7,000 square foot showroom, please click over to the Location page.