From the Providence Journal www.projo.com
PROVIDENCE — Robert Portukalian has spent the last month trucking 500 violins to his home in Warwick, preparing to close down his Providence Violin Shop at 1279 North Main St. after a run of more than 50 years.
Saturday was to be the shop’s last day.
Portukalian’s name may not be a household word, but he is a nationally known expert in the appraisal and reconditioning of violins, a craft he got into almost by accident. His first interest in the instrument came when he started playing it at the age of 9 in his hometown of Chelsea, Mass.