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By Bransen P. Harper
Photo: Sam Ash store in College Grove
June 2, 2024 (San Diego) -- Among the many places in East County for musicians to let out their creative juices, Sam Ash, a family-owned music store, has long been a fan-favorite for a musician like myself. With its wide array of musical gear such as synthesizers, guitars and drum sets, Sam Ash also possesses some of the friendliest staff around that are always welcoming and willing to help you find any accessory that a shopper may be looking for.
But troubling news has appeared for any patrons who might enjoy shopping there . Sam Ash is officially closing all stores down nationwide. In the post-COVID economy, many smaller companies have shared similar struggles for recovery, further challenged by consumers shift to online buying.
According to the New York Times, Sam Ash announced in March that it as in the midst of closing 18 locations with the hope that the company could survive. However, this effort came to naught, and now the company is officially shutting down after being in business for 100 years.
When asked for comment, Derek Ash replied that Sam Ash simply could not compete with the online shopping market. Thus is another sign of the nation’s struggle to recover after COVID.
An employee at Sam Ash in Lemon Grove, where all merchandise is marked down for a final sale clearance, told ECM’s editor that the company has also lost sales to online competitors, an issue that has hurt many brick-and-mortar retailers.
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