It's the end of a century-long era for iconic music retailer Sam Ash, which announced on Monday that it would be closing its doors for good.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that effective May 2, 2024, all Sam Ash Music Store locations will begin store closing sales,” the company written on her website. “This unfortunate news also presents a fantastic opportunity for great deals on our premium selection of musical instruments and pro audio gear. We'll also be offering specials on samash.com during this time. Thank you for allowing us to serve musicians like you for 100 years.”
The company currently has 42 locations across the country in New York, Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nevada.
Connected: Bon Jovi, Darius Rucker warn about AI Tech in the music industry
Sam Ash was originally founded in 1924 by Sam and Rose Ashkynase, Austrian immigrants with a love of music. According to company websiteSam and Rose pawned her engagement ring for $400 and took the money to open the first Sam Ash store in Brooklyn in 1924.
Derek Ash, Sam and Rose's great-grandson, Derek Ash, told him New York Times that it has been difficult to compete with online shopping and that it was a “must” to close brick and mortar stores.
“A lot of that has been the move to online shopping,” he told the media. “There are so many choices and running a store with so many selections is very difficult.”
Social media users posted about the retailer's death.
all the sam ash stores are closing i will cry
– open? (@suhyuunn) May 2, 2024
Sam Ash is closing and I feel like a friend is dying.
— A. Mood (@Just_IN_A_Mood) May 6, 2024
I am so upset that Sam Ash is shutting down the man. So many memories and instruments bought there
— ? (@powers1av3) May 2, 2024
Big RIP @samashmusic If you're a musician, you've been to a Sam Ash store, and really, the experience of having another musician (because that's who worked in these stores) show you PERSONAL gear can't be replaced.
— Leesa “Lorq Von Bae” Dean (@chilltowntv) May 4, 2024
Sam Ash closes all its locations. This is definitely the end of an era. ?
— The thinker St. James (@thinkerstjames) May 6, 2024
Connected: Top musicians earned $200 million in pandemic taxpayer cash
All Sam Ash locations will close by July, with some closing at the end of May.
The retailer won the title of “World's Favorite Music Store” for its “Come and Play” motto, which encourages musicians to use and test the equipment inside each of the company's stores.