Toronto's Sam the Record Man closing

 

 

 

UNNATI GANDHI

Globe and Mail Update

May 29, 2007 at 8:51 PM EDT

 

Toronto — Sam the Record Man, a Yonge Street staple since 1961 and once Canada's top music retailer, will be closing its doors for good next month.

Citing ubiquitous music downloads, Jason and Bobby Sniderman, the sons of Sam Sniderman and present owners of the flagship Toronto store, said rarely does a day go by without a story about declining CD sales.

“We are making a responsible decision in recognizing the status of the record industry and the increasing impact of technology,” said Bobby Sniderman in a press release.

He would not elaborate when reached by telephone Tuesday.

 

The store will close June 30.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070529.wsamsclose0529/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070529.wsamsclose0529

 

I really miss the Halifax store- it had a lot of character, more selection than anywhere, and as I just found out before it closed, it was the only good place to still get vinyl. They had the Arcade Fire's Funeral there on vinyl, and I was going to get it as soon as I had the money. One week later and the store was gone. :(

 

I have an incredibly dim view of the major record labels, and think they deserve what they're getting somewhat if all they do is churn out crap, force it down people's throats, and talk about buying each other. But I still like CDs. Most people do still buy CDs. I hate that the good music stores are disappearing because people would rather buy stuff at the grocery store.

Yeah I miss Sam's too. I only bought a few cds there, but my favourite memory was when Pilate played a "secret" show there before the Junos and I got to sit right close up on the floor and talk to the boys afterwards for a awhile.

 

As long as we don't lose Random Play I'm happy.

Where's Random Play? I don't know if I've been in that one or not.

its always sad when a mom n'pop record shop like that closes.... :(

It wasn't even a mom n'pop store, it was the biggest chain in the country at one point. It just had more stuff and people who knew more than anywhere else.

*adds "Sam's* to list of music shops which have gone under*

 

So it joins Our Price, MVC & Music-Zone as major-shops which have gone bust.

Where's Random Play? I don't know if I've been in that one or not.

 

It's on Barrington near where Sams used to be. Just on the other side of the road. Its a used place with a pretty good selection. CD's are around $10 each. And after you buy 10 you get one free haha.

Ok, I think I know which one it is then. Thanks.

When I was building my Radiohead collection I wanted to get some of the cds used but they didn't have any Radiohead.:( So I had to buy them new at HMV for a fortune. (Well I did 2 for $25)

It's on Barrington near where Sams used to be. Just on the other side of the road. Its a used place with a pretty good selection. CD's are around $10 each. And after you buy 10 you get one free haha.

 

There was one like that in Vancouver, too!:rolleyes:

When I was building my Radiohead collection I wanted to get some of the cds used but they didn't have any Radiohead.:( So I had to buy them new at HMV for a fortune. (Well I did 2 for $25)

 

What a rip-off!:o

There was one like that in Vancouver, too!:rolleyes:

 

Your point being? That it's the same because it's canadian? I have a better chance of making it back to England one day than ever seeing the west coast.

^It's closer I think hehe.

 

I was out West once, its beauuuu-tiful!

And the airfare is cheaper to Europe.

 

Lucky. :P

It was the only big trip like that I've ever been on. Dad had saved up his aeroplan points for years....and I have family out there. It was pretty sweet all the mountains and animals, stuff like that.

It was the only big trip like that I've ever been on. Dad had saved up his aeroplan points for years....and I have family out there. It was pretty sweet all the mountains and animals, stuff like that.

 

As long as you avoid the bears and cougars.:rolleyes:

We saw one bear, but it was mosly deer, elk, mountain goats, moose, stuff like that.