Iconic music and record store chain that started as a side hustle is closing last two locations forever in the US
An era is coming to an end. The iconic music shop firm Sam Goody is getting ready to close its final two locations in the United States.
The final chapter of the once-dominant brand will shortly come to an end as the Oregon and Ohio sites close their doors permanently.
The music chain Sam Goody, which many of us remember as being able to dominate malls, is getting ready to close its final two physical locations.
Established in 1951, the Rogue Valley Mall in Medford, Oregon, and the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio, will permanently close in 2025.
Since its opening in 1980, Ohio’s Valley Mall has been a mainstay in the St. Clairsville neighborhood for more than 40 years.
But soon after Thanksgiving, Rick Polanski, its manager, was informed of its closure.
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According to The Times Leader, the store is anticipated to close by February, however a precise closing date has not yet been established.
Polanski told the local newspaper, “It [stinks] and it’s changed over the years.”
This is where I have dedicated two-thirds of my life. We used to be a $2 million store, but things have changed, and I am powerless to fix it.
It’s unknown when the Medford, Oregon, business will close.
END OF AN ERA
In 1951, Sam Goody’s journey started as a toy and curiosity store.
As a side gig, Sam Gutowitz sold CDs since he had an entrepreneurial mentality, and the business took off right away.
He then changed the market by supplying albums at reduced costs and introducing mail-order services.
This brought in a large number of admirers and music lovers.
At its height, the chain had over 800 locations nationally and was a mainstay in shopping malls and centers all throughout North America.
Beyond store closures, many people will always cherish the experience of sifting through records, finding new sounds, and connecting with music lovers.
DISCO INFERNO
They have to end someday, just like everything else.
The retail environment altered significantly as consumer preferences and technology advanced.
Physical music businesses have become less significant as digital downloads, streaming services, and internet purchases have grown in popularity.
Sam Goody was able to keep a lower profile in some communities in spite of these obstacles.
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Customers of the brand will undoubtedly be disappointed to see its physical presence completely vanish as its final two stores are set to close.
The closure of Sam Goody signifies the end of a significant period in the history of music retail for both fans and former staff.
What is Sam Goody?
Sam ‘Goody’ Gutowitz established the well-known American music and entertainment retail company Sam Goody in New York City in 1951.
The brand’s initial concentration was on discounted records, and it soon established a reputation for having a large range at reasonable prices.
By the 1980s, Sam Goody stores had grown all throughout the country and were the preferred place to buy vinyl, cassettes, CDs, and DVDs. Under the Musicland Group’s management, the brand peaked in the 1990s.
However, its decline—which resulted in closures—was caused by the rise of digital music and internet commerce.
Today, Sam Goody is getting ready to close its final two US stores, cementing it as a nostalgic symbol of retail s golden era.
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