Everything is on sale at Sam Ash Music in Manatee County as stores close nationwide

The Sam Ash Music store across the street from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport — along with over 40 others nationwide — will be closing their doors.

“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 company said.

“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 on SamAsh.com during this time. Thank you for allowing us to serve musicians like you for 100 years,” the company said.

Monday morning, customers lined up at the Bradenton-Sarasota store, 7606 N. Tamiami Trail, awaiting the 11 a.m. opening.

Among them were Vladimir Gonzalez and Edna Aguiler, who came for guitar strings.

“They treat you like family,” said Gonzalez, who previously bought a ukulele and guitar at Sam Ash Music.

Sam Ash Music closing nationwide

The “store closing” and “everything must go” signs were hard to miss along the front of the 9,522-square-foot store, packed with guitars, drum kits, speakers, recording equipment and more.

Sales manager Grant Frazier said the Sam Ash Store has been at its current location for roughly 20 years.

“I started working at Sam Ash before my daughter was born and she is 14 now,” Frazier.

“It’s a shame,” he said of the closing.

A closing date has not been announced.

The company was founded by Sam Ash (Ashkynase), who was born in Austria and arrived in the United States in 1907 at the age of 10.

Later, he became a professional violinist. His Sam Ash Orchestra entertained at weddings and dances.

Sam and his wife, Rose, pawned her engagement ring for $400 to make the down payment on what was to become the first Sam Ash Music store in 1924 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“That first Sam Ash store featured mainly sheet music and violin repairs, as the fledgling concern could not yet afford to stock musical instruments,” according to the company web page .

Even during the darkest days of the Great Depression, Sam Ash Music managed to not only hang on but become a hang out for musicians.

“Visit any Sam Ash Music store at any time and you’re guaranteed to see somebody making music. Playing the incredible selection of instruments is not only allowed, it’s encouraged. You’ll find people of all ages, from novice to pros playing guitars, keyboards, drums or brass and woodwind instruments. Our incredible selection of musical instruments, pro audio, DJ, and stage lighting equipment is designed to cover every musician’s needs regardless of playing style or experience level,” the company web page says.

A customer who reached out to the Bradenton Herald said he had been taking piano lessons at the local Sam Ash store for four years.

“This is a sad day for Bradenton and Sarasota. We are losing an icon,” he said.

Sam Ash Music has stores in 15 states, ranging from New York to California.