Photo Credit: Kazuhisa Otsubo / CC by 2.0
Sam Ash music stores, which began with a single New York shop in 1924, will be closing all 42 of its locations this summer after 100 years in business.
The family-owned music store chain, Sam Ash, which has supplied musicians with instruments for 100 years, is closing all 42 of its locations by the end of July. According to Derek Ash, great-grandson of Sam and Rose Ash, who opened the first location in Brooklyn in 1924, the company couldn’t compete with online retailers.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that effective May 2, 2024, all Sam Ash Music Store locations will begin store closing sales,” the Ash family wrote on the company’s website. “This unfortunate news also presents a fantastic opportunity for great deals across our premium selection of musical instruments and pro sound equipment. We will also be offering specials [online] during this time. Thank you for allowing us to serve musicians like you for 100 years.”
Sam Ash first announced closing 18 of its locations in March, in the hopes of that buying the company additional time before they would have to shutter all locations. Unfortunately, that time has come.
“A lot of this has been the move to online shopping,” said Derek Ash, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer. “There are so many choices, and to maintain a store with that much selection is very difficult.”
Some Sam Ash locations — which exist across New York, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Ohio — will close by the end of May. The remainder will close by the end of July.
Many musicians for whom Sam Ash locations provided a communal music lovers’ experience have expressed their disappointment at the news. “It’s been a vital part of my life for as long as I can remember,” one musician posted on Facebook.
Others shared their nostalgia at frequenting the music stores, especially in New York during the 1990s, when the area was filled with music shops such as Rudy’s Music and Manny’s Music.
