Half of the blue Victorian-style Capitol Hill house that houses Bischofberger Violins is given over to a repair workshop; the other half, a large, airy, wood-floored parlor, is a showroom; the whole is bursting with cozy Old World ambiance. Cellos stand neatly lined up in a rack like wooden soldiers; violins and violas sit on shelves on their sides, bottom ends out, demure but eager to be fiddled with. Dozens of flyers advertising teachers, regional performing ensembles, and musicians seeking gigs make this a classical string-playing community center. Founded in 1955 and flourishing even after a fire gutted the place in 2000, Bischofberger does a brisk business in instrument rental in addition to sales and repair. GAVIN BORCHERT 1314 E. John St., 324-3119, bviolins.com