Sam the Record Man
Encyclopedia
Sam the Record Man was a Canadian record store chain that, at one time, was Canada
's largest music recording retailer. In 1982, their ads proclaimed they had "140 locations, coast to coast".
The Internet age, competition with the HMV chain and other factors, forced Sam the Record Man into bankruptcy on October 30, 2001, although its flagship location remained in business until 2007. One independent franchise
store, in Belleville, Ontario
, continues to bear the Sam the Record Man name.
and Sidney Sniderman, as a record department in his family's existing radio store in Toronto
. In 1961, the store moved out to its own location on Yonge Street
, and its location at 347 Yonge Street has become a Toronto landmark. The flagship store of the competing A&A Records
chain was located nearby at 351 Yonge Street.
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The Yonge Street location was always noted for its kitsch
y signage. Its first neon signage included the store's address in large neon "347" numbers vertically aligned between two windows. On the left side was a thermometer made from neon. On the far right was a neon multi-sectioned triangle similar to the one on top of the Canada Life Building
, which indicated weather conditions depending on how it was blinking. In the late 1960s, the iconic double-disc spinning records replaced the previous neon signs.
The double-disc neon sign is frequently visible in films shot in Toronto that use Yonge Street as a location. Recent examples include the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk
, which features the signs prominently during the final battle sequences, and the CTV/CBS series Flashpoint
, which is set in Toronto.
The flagship Sam the Record Man store was also famous for its Boxing Day
sales. Shoppers would line up over many city blocks, in the cold, to get one-day-only specially discounted records, and eventually, as the technology changed, CDs, and videos.
The chain stores were early promoters of Canadian artists, because they prominently featured their work with in-store displays, and concerts. Sam Sniderman played a role in getting the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to implement Canadian content
(Can-con) regulations for radio stations in the early 1970s. The move to Can-con allowed many Canadian musicians
to gain a voice in their own country.
In the late 1960s, Sniderman expanded the business with franchised and corporate stores outside of Toronto. The chain subsequently expanded to 130 stores across Canada, before the recorded music and media business started to decline in the 1990s. At one time, the chain was the leading music retailer in Canada.
In 2001, tough competition, narrow margins, and the availability of free music downloads from the Internet, forced the chain to declare bankruptcy. Most of its 30 corporate-owned stores closed. The Sniderman family was underwriting the chain's debt of $15 million for the previous five years and finally could not continue to lose money. Under new management, Sam Sniderman's sons Jason
and Bobby Sniderman reopened the Yonge Street store in 2002, along with 11 franchise stores outside of Toronto. The franchise stores were not a part of the bankruptcy filing.
Eventually, all but one of the stores closed. The corporate store in Halifax, Nova Scotia was shut down on February 20, 2007.
On May 30, 2007, supporters started a Facebook
group to save the store's neon spinning record signs titled "Save the Sam's Sign!!!"; the group, and its attached online petition, garnered more than 18,000 members. On June 14, 2007, it was announced that the sign, and the contents of the store would be auctioned by Benaco Sales on June 27.
However, on June 22, 2007, the Toronto city council voted in favour of designating the entire property as a heritage site, protecting the entire building, including the landmark signs. The entire building was designated because the Ontario Heritage Act
has no provisions to protect store signs.
On January 18, 2008, Ryerson University
acquired the property for future expansion of its nearby campus. The former Sam's store is the future location for Ryerson's Student Learning Centre; however on November 11, 2011, Ryerson's president, Sheldon Levy
, stated that they may not actually affix the old Sam's sign onto the new building, and will negotiate with the city to see if a cheaper commemoration for the sign can be achieved. On October 4, 2008, the iconic neon signs were lit for the last time as part of Toronto's Nuit Blanche
festivities. The removal of the signage commenced shortly after the final lighting, and by mid-March 2009 the building had been partially demolished,
The last remnants of the Sam the Record Man retail empire is one franchise store that remains open in Belleville
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's largest music recording retailer. In 1982, their ads proclaimed they had "140 locations, coast to coast".
The Internet age, competition with the HMV chain and other factors, forced Sam the Record Man into bankruptcy on October 30, 2001, although its flagship location remained in business until 2007. One independent franchise
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
store, in Belleville, Ontario
Belleville, Ontario
Belleville is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern Ontario, Canada, in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but is politically independent of it. and the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region...
, continues to bear the Sam the Record Man name.
Founding
The chain was first launched in 1937 by Sam SnidermanSam Sniderman
Sam Sniderman, is a Canadian entrepreneur best known as the founder of Sam the Record Man, the Canadian record store chain...
and Sidney Sniderman, as a record department in his family's existing radio store in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. In 1961, the store moved out to its own location on Yonge Street
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of...
, and its location at 347 Yonge Street has become a Toronto landmark. The flagship store of the competing A&A Records
A&A Records
A&A Records was a Canadian record store chain, which declared bankruptcy in 1991. Prior to the expansion of Sam the Record Man in the early 1960s, A&A was the dominant record store chain in Canada...
chain was located nearby at 351 Yonge Street.
Neon signs
Kitsch
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass-produced objects that...
y signage. Its first neon signage included the store's address in large neon "347" numbers vertically aligned between two windows. On the left side was a thermometer made from neon. On the far right was a neon multi-sectioned triangle similar to the one on top of the Canada Life Building
Canada Life Building
The Canada Life Building is a historic office building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The fifteen-floor Beaux Arts building was built by Sproatt & Rolph and stands at , including its weather beacon....
, which indicated weather conditions depending on how it was blinking. In the late 1960s, the iconic double-disc spinning records replaced the previous neon signs.
The double-disc neon sign is frequently visible in films shot in Toronto that use Yonge Street as a location. Recent examples include the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk (film)
The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 superhero action film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner. It is the second film to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
, which features the signs prominently during the final battle sequences, and the CTV/CBS series Flashpoint
Flashpoint (TV series)
Flashpoint is a Canadian police drama television series that debuted on July 11, 2008, on CTV in Canada and ran on CBS in the United States for its first three and a half seasons. In 2011, Ion Television began airing new episodes of the series in the United States...
, which is set in Toronto.
Building the chain
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
sales. Shoppers would line up over many city blocks, in the cold, to get one-day-only specially discounted records, and eventually, as the technology changed, CDs, and videos.
The chain stores were early promoters of Canadian artists, because they prominently featured their work with in-store displays, and concerts. Sam Sniderman played a role in getting the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to implement Canadian content
Canadian content
Canadian content refers to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission requirements that radio and television broadcasters must air a certain percentage of content that was at least partly written, produced, presented, or otherwise contributed to by persons from...
(Can-con) regulations for radio stations in the early 1970s. The move to Can-con allowed many Canadian musicians
Music of Canada
The music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
to gain a voice in their own country.
In the late 1960s, Sniderman expanded the business with franchised and corporate stores outside of Toronto. The chain subsequently expanded to 130 stores across Canada, before the recorded music and media business started to decline in the 1990s. At one time, the chain was the leading music retailer in Canada.
2001 bankruptcy
Jason Sniderman
Jason Sniderman is a Canadian musician and businessman. He was one of the chief executives of Sam the Record Man, which was established by his father, Sam Sniderman.-Music career:...
and Bobby Sniderman reopened the Yonge Street store in 2002, along with 11 franchise stores outside of Toronto. The franchise stores were not a part of the bankruptcy filing.
Eventually, all but one of the stores closed. The corporate store in Halifax, Nova Scotia was shut down on February 20, 2007.
Yonge Street flagship store closes
On May 29, 2007, Jason and Bobby Sniderman announced that the iconic flagship store, on Toronto's Yonge and Gould Streets, would close permanently on June 30, 2007. They stated that "their decision reflects the increasing impact of technology on the record industry."On May 30, 2007, supporters started a Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
group to save the store's neon spinning record signs titled "Save the Sam's Sign!!!"; the group, and its attached online petition, garnered more than 18,000 members. On June 14, 2007, it was announced that the sign, and the contents of the store would be auctioned by Benaco Sales on June 27.
However, on June 22, 2007, the Toronto city council voted in favour of designating the entire property as a heritage site, protecting the entire building, including the landmark signs. The entire building was designated because the Ontario Heritage Act
Ontario Heritage Act
The Ontario Heritage Act, first enacted on March 5, 1975, allows municipalities and the provincial government to designate individual properties and districts in the Province of Ontario, Canada, as being of cultural heritage value or interest....
has no provisions to protect store signs.
On January 18, 2008, Ryerson University
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
acquired the property for future expansion of its nearby campus. The former Sam's store is the future location for Ryerson's Student Learning Centre; however on November 11, 2011, Ryerson's president, Sheldon Levy
Sheldon Levy
Sheldon Levy is the President and Vice Chancellor of Ryerson University. Sheldon was educated at Downsview Public and Secondary School, in Toronto eventually earning his master's degree in Mathematics from York University.- Employment :...
, stated that they may not actually affix the old Sam's sign onto the new building, and will negotiate with the city to see if a cheaper commemoration for the sign can be achieved. On October 4, 2008, the iconic neon signs were lit for the last time as part of Toronto's Nuit Blanche
Nuit Blanche
Nuit Blanche is an annual all-night or night-time arts festival. A Nuit Blanche will typically have museums, private and public art galleries, and other cultural institutions open and free of charge, with the centre of the city itself being turned into a de facto art gallery, providing space for...
festivities. The removal of the signage commenced shortly after the final lighting, and by mid-March 2009 the building had been partially demolished,
The last remnants of the Sam the Record Man retail empire is one franchise store that remains open in Belleville
Belleville, Ontario
Belleville is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern Ontario, Canada, in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but is politically independent of it. and the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region...
.