LOCALS are left devastated after discovering a family favorite music store is closing.
Another Sam Ash music store is closing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The company was founded in Brooklyn, new York in 1924, eventually growing to 45 locations in 16 states; now decreasing to just 15.
An employee at a Sam Ash store in Florida that recently announced its closure revealed that the company plans to close 18 stores in total, as reported by The patch.
It was later confirmed that Sam Ash would liquidate all of its stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that all Sam Ash Music stores will begin store closing sales today,” a statement on the Sam Ash website said. Facebook page read.
Read more about store closures
“Thank you for allowing us to serve musicians like you for 100 years.”
Before the final day, the location saw sales ranging from 5% to 20%.
The Philadelphia Mills location was a community landmark, and in its final days, most of the shelves and racks are now empty.
Store manager Elliott Weiss is still struggling to believe the store is closing.
“I was definitely taken by surprise,” he told Philadelphia Inquisitor.
“I thought I would stay there forever.”
Weiss has worked at the store for 24 years, almost since the location opened.
Customer speculation about the reason for the closure was confirmed by Weiss.
“I was under the impression the rent was too high,” said longtime customer Valerie Owens.
“The overhead costs of renting a place like this are astronomical,” confirmed the manager.
RESIDENTS FIGHTED LOSS OF STORE FRONT
Other loyal customers are also grieving the loss of the storefront.
“The good thing about a physical store is that you can try out the equipment,” explained Alex Martinez.
When purchasing instruments and equipment online, a musician will not always know the quality or sound of the item until it arrives at their home; and then it can be a complete process to return it if it is not in perfect condition.
Area musicians have trusted Sam Ash’s location for years.
“This place would always have everything I needed at the last second,” said drummer Pauly Panda, a customer for two decades.
“I could come here and they would have.”
The loss of the store will impact neighboring businesses, some customers say.
“The only reason I came to this mall was because of Sam Ash,” Martinez said.
“It’s a shame to see a family business go bankrupt.”
CLEARANCE OF STORES
SAM Ash joins a handful of other retailers in liquidation as stores close.
Rue21 announced filing for bankruptcy in early May and has plans to close all 540 stores.
The clothing retailer will hold clearance sales at all locations during the closing process.
Clothing retailer Express is also holding liquidation sales as it closes 54 stores through its bankruptcy filing.
While not all are declaring bankruptcy, some other stores are closing many of their locations:
Source: Big Frog
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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