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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Posts: 6,505 |
New FREE EXPANDED User Style for Band-in-a-Box. Band-in-a-Box has always had these limitations. 1) You can't put a chord both on a beat and the eighth note before that same beat 2) You can't put more than 4 chords in a bar of music Norton Music invented EXPANDED styles in the 1990s to overcome these limitations. Using EXPANDED styles you can put up to 8 chords in a 4/4 measure and that means you can put a chord on a beat and the eighth note before the same beat. You can read an explanation on how it works, listen to an audio demo, and download a FREE EXPANDED style for Band-in-a-Box here: It's a simple, basic Rock/Country/Pop style. It demonstrates how Norton Music EXPANDED styles work and it's yours FREE for the download. For more information and your FREE style, go to: http://www.nortonmusic.com/expanded.htmlEnjoy
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,274
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,274 |
This is great!
I wouldn't have mind seeing a link to your Styles Disk #17 on that page,
to check out more of your "expanded" styles.
Thanks Notes!
LLOYD S
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
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OP
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Thanks for the kind words Lloyd.
I figure if people want to find Disk #17, they can find it on my site. If not, it won't seem like I'm pushing it on them.
I have had a number of people e-mailing me about EXPANDED styles over the past few months, and I thought long and hard about doing this.
I didn't want to be spamming the group, but having a web page keeps me from explaining the same thing again. Plus with the graphics, it's easier to see what it's all about.
After making a demo EXPANDED style, I figured "Why not share it with the group?"
If you like it and find it useful, enjoy. If you want more I'm happy to sell some. If you don't like it, just remove it.
It took a week to get this all together, write the style, make the pictures, code the web page, etc., but I'm not gigging due to COVID so it was a good use of 'sheltering at home' time.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 476
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 476 |
Thanks for the effort, Notes! I just picked up Disk #17 yesterday and need to do some noodling now with those expanded styles. Looking forward to it!
Question: do you compile/put together custom disks of your existing styles?
Specifically, I'd like to pick up just your blues and reggae styles? Anything like that possible?
TIA!
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra
Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5
Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
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OP
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Posts: 6,505 |
I don't compile custom disks, but if you go to http://www.nortonmusic.com/styledemo.html you can order single styles. There is a built in discount, so as you put more single styles in the cart, the price per style goes down. For those who asked, you can get an entire e-disk of EXPANDED styles at http://www.nortonmusic.com/style17.htmlNotes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 476
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 476 |
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra
Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5
Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90 |
I know Notes does some classy midi styles, but have to say I was always waiting for a sale similar to what PG music run every December where I could do a bulk buy a package such as The Everything Pack (all styles and fake disks to date) or Total Style disk or Total fake disk which would include either all styles or all fake disks to date.
The small discount for buying multiple disks is just putting me off.
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
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OP
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Posts: 6,505 |
For about 5 years I did a mega-pack with a deep discount, and sold two. It was over $600 less than retail. It wasn't as popular as I thought, so this summer when I added 5 new disks, I dropped it rather than doing the math, updating the files, updating the web page, updating the shopping cart. etc. There comes a point where the time invested vs. the return doesn't make sense. It wasn't worth the time for me. The discounts on this page http://www.nortonmusic.com/mega.html are automatically applied by the shopping cart, and you can save hundreds of dollars with them. With a small business like mine the fees for shopping cart, web host, Visa/Mc authorization company, Visa/MC merchant's account, bank, etc., are still paid every month, but spread out over a fraction of users. By the time a shopper will rack up big discounts on my discount page, you'd be surprised at how little is left for me. I have to eat too. If you think the products are worth the price, consider buying them, if not, that's OK too. I offer them for those who see the value in them, and most people after buying one come back for more so I guess that speaks for itself. Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 734
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 734 |
I know Notes does some classy midi styles, but have to say I was always waiting for a sale similar to what PG music run every December where I could do a bulk buy a package such as The Everything Pack (all styles and fake disks to date) or Total Style disk or Total fake disk which would include either all styles or all fake disks to date.
The small discount for buying multiple disks is just putting me off.
Martin After having gone through many of my books and entering songs, finding the right styles, or creating them I quickly became a customer of Notes styles and fakebooks. It is much nicer to have it done for you! Worth every penny I have spent over the years.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,582
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Posts: 27,582 |
Notes, I have a question. Your expanded styles are MIDI. What happens if I were to replace one of your instruments, say an acoustic guitar in a Bossa style, with a RealTrack guitar? Would it ‘make sense’ musically? Would I need to alter the timebase?
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505 |
Notes, I have a question. Your expanded styles are MIDI. What happens if I were to replace one of your instruments, say an acoustic guitar in a Bossa style, with a RealTrack guitar? Would it ‘make sense’ musically? Would I need to alter the timebase? It would depend on the track you choose, as it will play twice as fast. I can see where in some cases it might work, but in most cases it would be very busy. Still there is no harm in trying. A twice as fast rhythm guitar on a bossa track could make a hybrid between a bossa and a samba. Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,582
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,582 |
Thanks, yes, I suspected I would need to change the timebase to half-time.
BIAB, with all its RealTracks, does not have a samba acoustic guitar at some of the tempos I like.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505 |
Yes, the EXPANDED styles are designed to work at twice the tempo but sound right. There are literally thousands of editing things you can do with MIDI that you cannot do with audio.
A good MIDI sound module can sound almost as good as a sample, but with editing can be hundreds of times more expressive and/or customizable. Everything has its price.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
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