A Co-op Violin Shop

connecting musicians directly with the luthier (violins), l'archetier (bows), and the "I know a guy" (repairs).

About us:

Our Chicago Luthier Cooperative is a collectively owned shop in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, IL. We share our space with each other and utilize the experiences each member brings to the bench.

Luthiers are welcome to inquire about renting a bench for short and long term needs.

Musicians are welcome to inquire about new violin family instruments and repairs as well as bow work.

Coop Members

Full Timers

Claire Rowan (she/her), Co-op Founder, 2022 Chicago School of Violin Making (CSVM) graduate, Tri-Clairetops, violin maker, cat owner, Colorado.
Dylan Kole (he/him), Co-Op Founder, 2019 CSVM alumni, Spaghetti-Boi, instrument repairs, bow maker, dog person, Michigander.
Tommy Coleman (he/him), 2016 CSVM grad., violin maker, "friends don't let friends build cellos," fun dad, good human, Montana.
Robyn Rosentreter (she/they), repair-extraordinar, violin maker, tallest person in the coop, could probably climb a mountain, Texan.
Alex Winfield Linn (he/him), 2017 CSVM grad, restorations, bow maker, late 30's curmudgeon, dog owner, bonsai enthusiast, Master of Divinity North Carolinian.

Part Timers

Daquan Yao (he/him), 2024 CSVM, violin maker, father of exultance, tea connoisseur, kind soul.
Ko Matsuda (he/him), 2025 CSVM expected, violin maker, bow maker, martial arts practitioner, Monster Energy consumer, New Zealander.
Travis Elfers (he/him), 2024 CSVM, full human not half-elf, violin maker, violist (but we don't hold that against him), teacher.
Mark Braunstein (he/him), retired violist, sales, broker, dealer, bread baking master.

Contact Us

The Chicago Luthier Cooperative

4043 North Ravenswood Avenue, Suite 311, Chicago, IL, USA

872-315-2198 chicagoluthiercoop@gmail.com

Hours

By appointment only, but one of us is generally around Monday to Saturday 9:00AM-3:00PM.

We're a quick jaunt off the Irving Park Brown L, some decent parking for a big city, and ample bike storage.

It's an old building so it's not 100% ADA accessible, call up to the shop and we'll gladly help you in.