10 October 2026
Leo Caerts celebrates 50 years of music
PRESS RELEASE — LEO CAERTS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF MUSIC IN LEUVEN BEFORE PASSING THE TORCH. “2027 WILL BE A BIG MUSICAL CELEBRATION!”
Leuven, 7 October 2026 — Music store Leo Caerts is preparing for a new chapter as the Leuven-based music shop celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2028. After five decades on Naamsestraat, Leo, Karina, Lieve and Kristine are gradually making way for a new generation, as they will retire on 1 May 2028. But before passing the torch, they are turning 2027 into a year of musical celebrations, with demos, live performances, special offers and bargains. In the meantime, the store continues to focus on service, repairs and personalised advice.
In 1978, Leonardus Caerts began his journey in Leuven. As teenagers, Leo (Jr.) and Karina were already helping out in their parents’ business. Over the following decades, they helped develop it into a trusted name among musicians in Leuven and far beyond. After almost 50 years of working in the store with great pleasure and dedication, the time has come to devote more attention to life beyond the business.
“We’ve spent almost 50 years working in the store with great pleasure. But cycling holidays, the grandchildren and life beyond the shop are gradually starting to take up more of our attention.” says Leo Caerts.
To prepare for retirement gradually, the store will close every Thursday from November 2026 onwards.
A year of celebrations to mark the end of an era
There will be no quiet farewell, however. 2027 will be a festive year, featuring demos, live performances, special offers and plenty of bargains. At the same time, Leo Caerts will continue to focus on the qualities that have defined the store over the years: personal advice, service and repairs.
“We don’t want to leave quietly. Over these 50 years, we’ve experienced incredible stories and met so many wonderful musicians. We would love to celebrate our departure together with all those people.”
A new generation on Naamsestraat
With the upcoming retirement of Leo, Karina, Lieve and Kristine, music will not disappear from Naamsestraat in Leuven. Quite the opposite. De Rockschool, which has been based above the music store at number 90 for more than 20 years, will expand into Leo Caerts’ current premises at number 94 from 1 May 2028. This will ensure that the location remains connected to music while giving the music school more space to further develop its activities.
De Rockschool now has more than 600 students and dozens of music coaches. The additional space will create opportunities for rehearsal rooms, group classrooms and extra facilities to support the growing music school.
“De Rockschool has been active here for more than 20 years, and this year we are once again seeing considerable interest in our flexible approach to music education. The opportunity to create more space for bands, group lessons and young musicians is unique. We are also incredibly proud to be able to do this in the very store where my grandparents, parents and aunts dedicated so many years of their lives.” says Severin Caerts, coordinator of De Rockschool.
The precise use of the different spaces from 2028 onwards will be explored further in the coming period. De Rockschool intends to use the additional space to bring even more musicians together and continue building an open space for music and culture in Leuven.
Leo Caerts is also exploring how the store can continue operating in an adapted form, focusing on repairs, servicing, and the buying and selling of guitars and pianos. For Leo, one thing remains particularly important: that the location continues to be a meeting place for music lovers.
“We think it’s wonderful that music will continue to fill this place. We would rather pass on the torch than blow it out.”
After five decades on Naamsestraat, a new chapter is beginning for the Caerts family. 2027 will be a year of celebration, reminiscing and looking ahead. Anyone wishing to stay informed about the celebrations, special offers and future plans of Leo Caerts can subscribe to the newsletter by emailing info@leocaerts.be.
Leo Caerts
Naamsestraat 94, 3000 Leuven
info@leocaerts.be
016 230 777
www.leocaerts.be
De Rockschool
Naamsestraat 90, 3000 Leuven
info@derockschool.be
+32 456 59 89 10
www.derockschool.be
Article published in this press:
♪ Het Nieuwsblad
♪ Leuven Actueel
♪ ROBtv
♪ Made In Vlaams-Brabant
♪ Het Laatste Nieuws
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