Iconic Sam Ash Music Store Says Goodbye to Local Patrons After a Century

Residents are heartbroken to learn that a local music store is closing. Sam Ash Music Store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has announced it will shut down.

According to an announcement on the music store's website, sales of musical instruments and professional sound equipment started on May 2 at all 42 locations.

Celebrating a Century of Musical Service

According to the Cleveland Jewish News, The Ash family announced, "Thank you for allowing us to serve musicians like you for 100 years."

Sam Ash Music Stores was established in 1924 by Sam Ash, an Austrian immigrant who immigrated to the U.S. at age ten in 1907.

According to the store's website, Ash pursued a career in music as a violinist, performing with various groups before forming his own, The Sam Ash Orchestra. He played at weddings and dances, eventually disbanding the orchestra after his wife, Rose Dinin-also an immigrant who moved from Russia to the U.S. at the age of three-expressed concerns about the uncertainties of a musician's life.

Following her concerns, the couple opened their music store in Brooklyn, New York.

Since then, the business has been a family affair, with four generations involved. Sam and Rose's sons, Jerry and Paul Ash led the store as the second generation. Jerry's wife, Bernice Ash, and their three sons, Sam, David, and Richard, along with their grandchildren, Adam, Ben Derek, Jonah, and Max Ash, have all contributed to the family business.

In addition to its historical location, Sam Ash Music Stores also operates branches at 1690 Morse Road in Columbus and 11805 Commons Drive in Cincinnati.

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New York Times revealed that in March, Sam Ash announced the closure of 18 stores, aiming to give the company more time to stabilize, according to Mr. Ash. However, he later described the eventual decision to close all stores as a "necessity."

"The shift towards online shopping has had a significant impact," Mr. Ash, the company's chief marketing officer, explained in an interview. "Maintaining a physical store with a comparable selection has become increasingly challenging with so many online options."

Community Mourns Closure of Local Music Store

Devoted customers are mourning the loss of their local Sam Ash store. As reported by The U.S. Sun, Alex Martinez highlighted the advantage of physical stores, where customers can test musical gear before buying it.

This feature is lost with online shopping, where musicians may not realize the quality or sound of an instrument until it arrives at their home. This could potentially lead to a cumbersome return process if the product doesn't meet expectations.

The Sam Ash store has been a reliable resource for local musicians for years. Drummer Pauly Panda, who has been a patron for over two decades, mentioned the convenience of the store for last-minute needs. "I could zip right over here, and they would have it," Panda said, expressing the value of having such a resource nearby.

The closure is also expected to affect surrounding businesses. Martinez noted that Sam Ash was the primary reason for his visits to the mall, and he lamented the loss of the family-operated business, calling it "a shame."

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