Amarillo's Iconic Music Box Heads to Auction

The legendary smoke shop and counterculture hub could change hands after over 50 years in business.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:22pm

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The Music Box, a beloved Amarillo institution that has operated as a smoke shop and counterculture hub since 1969, is set to be auctioned off on April 7th. The auction will include both the Music Box storefront and an adjacent apartment property, leaving the future of this iconic local business uncertain.

Why it matters

The Music Box has long been a fixture of Amarillo's cultural identity, serving as a gathering place for generations of locals and a symbol of the city's eclectic spirit. Its potential closure or redevelopment would mark the end of an era and leave many residents mourning the loss of a cherished community touchstone.

The details

The foreclosure auction will take place on the west steps of the Potter County Courthouse, with two tracts of the property up for sale. Tract 1 is an apartment building next door to the Music Box, while Tract 2 is the iconic shop itself. The current owner purchased the property in 2023, taking over from previous owner Toni Sympson who had run the business since the early 1990s.

  • The auction is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, starting at 10 AM and expected to conclude by 2 PM.
  • The Music Box has operated in Amarillo since 1969, serving as one of the oldest smoke shops in Texas.

The players

The Music Box

A legendary smoke shop and counterculture hub that has been a fixture in Amarillo since 1969, known for its eclectic vibe and offerings like tie-dye, hair dye, and jewelry.

Toni Sympson

The previous owner of the Music Box, having run the business since the early 1990s.

Current Owner

The current owner of the Music Box property, who purchased it in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“Most people who have grown up in Amarillo or have lived here long enough have a Music Box story to tell. While most enjoyed the iconic store for the eclectic vibe and mainly went to buy tie-dyes, hair color, and jewelry (back when the tattoo and piercing shop was upstairs), others went for an entirely different reason.”

— Lori Crofford, Local Journalist

What’s next

The auction will determine the future of the Music Box, with the possibility that the iconic shop could be preserved by a buyer who appreciates its historical significance, or potentially redeveloped into something new.

The takeaway

The potential loss of the Music Box would be a blow to Amarillo's cultural identity, as the shop has long served as a gathering place and symbol of the city's eclectic spirit. Its fate will be decided at the upcoming foreclosure auction, leaving many residents hopeful that a new owner will step in to preserve this beloved piece of local history.