Sweet deals and rare music memorabilia drew Toronto collectors into Sam the Record Man's historic Yonge St. store Wednesday.
With 900 lots up for grabs, the one-day auction at this Canadian music landmark comes just days before Sam's closes on June 30.
Priced between $5 and $5,000 the eclectic, marked-down mix includes more than 100 autographed posters, framed gold and platinum record, garish music signs and CDs -- some priced as low as 99�.
Baby boomers who shopped Sam's in the 1960s may think that's high. Back then 33s went for 66�. For others the auction's prices are too good to pass up.
Some happy shoppers included one Toronto woman who walked off with a signed platinum Meatloaf album. Another young man proudly displayed the only item he hoped to win: a Rupert Holmes' gold record of the Pina Colada song.
History buffs can also own a bit of the legendary store. Up for sale are such finds as a five-seat shoeshine station, a five-metre oak soda pop bar, a Wurlitzer record jukebox and three pinball machines and chandeliers. A slab of store wall featuring autographs by Tina Turner, Steven Tyler, David Bowie, Ray Charles and other stars is also on sale.
The decision to close Sam's was agonizing but inevitable, say the founder's sons, Bobby and Jason. The rise of internet downloads, coupled with competition from superstores like HMV and discount retailers like Wal-Mart, proved too difficult to beat.
Wiping Sam's from Toronto's history books will be tough. Sam Sniderman first started selling record out of his brother's radio shop in 1937. Since opening the Yonge St. store in 1961, he turned a one-shop operation into a successful chain of 130 stores across Canada.
The chain went under in 2001, and the sons re-opened the next year hoping the brand could be successful again.
Of all the items to be auctioned at Sam's, two will remain in place: The iconic outdoor neon sign of two spinning records, and the front door Sam the Record Man sign. Both will be preserved by the city.
