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FEBRUARY 2006

Sam Ash Music Stores
A chain store that has retained its founder’s policies

Back in 1924, a young married couple decided to open a music store. Actually, it was Rose Ash’s idea. Husband Sam was a violinist and bandleader. He also taught the violin and had learned to repair them. His day job had been as a fabric cutter in a dress factory. Rose was a bookkeeper in a home for the aged.  She felt that running a store would give them more stability. Soon they found a young widow in their own Brownsville section of Brooklyn, NY, who wanted to sell her store. She would let them pay it out.  For the $400 down payment the couple pawned Rose’s engagement ring. Later she got it back.

Sam continued to present his band at dances and weddings. They lived in a small apartment behind the store and started a family. Son Jerry was born in 1925, and Paul in 1929. The “Great Depression” hit in 1929, and most people and businesses went through hard times.  They barely survived. Rose often remembered the day a customer came in to have his violin bow re-haired. She made him wait while Sam did the job. She took the 75¢ payment directly to the grocery store.

Sam’s honesty, friendliness and hard work, built a reputation second to none. He added to the inventory and selection as he could. Things picked up a little. Daughter Marcia was born in 1935. Sam bought a car and started to deliver sheet music to piano teachers. The store’s location was difficult to reach by public transportation, and few people owned a car.  They moved the store to a better location in the early 1940’s. World War II was on and Jerry was serving with the Army in Europe.  Paul worked in the store after school. 

After the war, Jerry took an interest in the musical instruments that started to re-appear. He also cultivated school business. Soon his bride, Bernice, joined the team.

Sam died in 1956. Three years later, the boys moved the store to a larger corner store. In 1959, they opened a store on Long Island and then another.

Fast forward to 2005.  There are 45 Sam Ash stores in 14 states, a mail order/catalog division, and a manufacturing company.

While Jerry, Paul and Bernice are still active, the company is mostly run by David, Richard and Sam, the three sons of Jerry & Bernice.

The firm has been at the forefront of new product development. First with synthesizers, electronic pianos, disc jockey gear, packaged sound systems and more.  They sell many thousands of guitars, but they still offer the wind and string instruments, drums, and sheet music that Sam started with.  And Sam’s integrity is the rock the company is built on. #

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