Rest in peace, Sam Ash music stores in Clearwater, Tampa and beyond

CLEARWATER — Rewind to a Saturday afternoon in late March and head to the full parking lot of the Sam Ash on McMullen Booth Road. It was the final months of the location’s existence, with a big swan song of a closing sale in full swing.

Inside, parents sifted through bins of discounted sheet music. A sunburned teen waited behind the counter for customers to approach. As always, there were the dudes who came to show off their Metallica riffs, jamming for what felt like hours on the floor with no intent of buying a guitar. A lively band shredding as the Titanic sank.

When the Clearwater Sam Ash shared it would be closing in March, music fans still had the option to shop at the Tampa location. Then came the announcement last week.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that effective May 2nd 2024, all Sam Ash Music Store locations will begin store closing sales,” read a message on the music chain’s website. “This unfortunate news also presents a fantastic opportunity for great deals across our premium selection of musical instruments & pro sound equipment. We will also be offering specials on samash.com during this time.”

Sam Ash was born 100 years ago in the Brownsville district of Brooklyn. According to the company’s website, it was founded by Sam Ash (Ashkynase), an Austrian immigrant and violinist who played in a band called the Sam Ash Orchestra. His wife, a Russian immigrant named Rose, hoped for a more stable life. So the couple opened a music store in 1924.

“Having very little savings the couple was forced to pawn Rose’s engagement ring for $400 in order to make the down payment on what was to become the first Sam Ash Music store,” reads the story on the website.

In 1999, the Sam Ash chain acquired Clearwater-based Thoroughbred Music, which had stores in Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Clearwater and Nashville. The Clearwater location was located in what used to be the Kapok Tree Inn, an extravagant restaurant that closed in 1991.

In 2022, the Clearwater Sam Ash made headlines after a man broke in to commit a burglary. He ended up plummeting down three stories, falling into a guitar display on his way down, but he survived. He used an amplifier to shatter a glass door and exit.

Google still lists the Clearwater location as open, but no one answers the phone. Social media posts say the store is close to empty. At the Tampa location, 13133 N Dale Mabry Highway, a manager answered the phone and said his only comment was that there is plenty of gear to buy. Then he hung up.

Sam Ash is survived by chains like Guitar Center, local music shops like St. Pete Guitars and Tampa’s Replay Guitar Exchange and online retailers like Amazon and Sweetwater.