Luthiers Mercantile International, organizers of the renowned Healdsburg Guitar Festival, today announced it has postponed the next such festival until 2016.

“In August, 2013, we enjoyed our most successful festival ever,” said LMI sales manager Chris Herrod said in a written statement. “Financially, personally, and logistically, we couldn’t have been more pleased. But after having taken a closer look at our investment, especially in the amount of hours which could have been focused on expanding LMI’s core business, it became obvious that our ‘labor of love’ had many intangible costs, especially to our overworked staff. For this reason, we have made the tough decision to postpone the next festival to 2016.

“No doubt this will come as difficult news to many of you. It has not been an easy decision to make and we understand the ramifications. Besides being a great reunion of friends and colleagues, the festival has been successful in its mission of strengthening the marketplace for handmade instruments. We remain committed to this goal and are confident that after this longer than normal recess that the festival will return stronger than before.”

LMI has presented the Healdsburg festival 10 times since 1996. For more, visit lmii.com.