PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Fire sales are happening at Sam Ash locations as the one-time music instrument retail giant closes down all of its stores.
The chain was founded 100 years ago in Brooklyn, New York by musician Sam Ash, and remained within the Ash family ever since. It operates three stores in our area: in King of Prussia, Cherry Hill and at the Philadelphia Mills Mall.
The company announced on May 2 it would close all of its locations nationwide. Employees were told the King of Prussia store would remain open until May 29, but some told KYW Newsradio they wouldn’t be surprised if the company locked the doors before that date.
“Nothing's promised. I mean, they could lock the doors tomorrow,” said an employee who asked to be identified as “John,” who worked at the King of Prussia location for two years. He says the company failed to tell employees just how bad the situation had become.
“The one guy, he's telling people, ‘Oh, your job's going to be okay. These stores are protected,’ and then via email, [he] just sends out, ‘Actually, all locations are going to be closing.’”
John says he has never gotten a raise or increase in paid time off during his time there. He says his next job will not be related to music. Instead, he’ll sell vacation packages.”
“Hopefully that company is a little more honest, a little more loyal to me,” he said, “and values their employees more than the Ashes did.”
Christian used to work in the store’s drum department, but now has students of his own.
“This store — and any music store in general — has a place in my heart because I'm still a musician and gig musician, always was,” he said, “and now I'm a music teacher. So this is a good resource, or was a good resource.”
While shopping for a computer microphone, longtime customer Gerry Herbison said young musicians may have an easier experience shopping online, but are going to miss out on getting in-person advice.
“I had to self-teach with the guitar, so I bought all of the basic guitar books. And everybody knew what they were talking about here,” Herbison said.
CEO David Ash originally told the Wall Street Journal the company was considering a restructure, but he did not say what that might look like. The company has since filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.