Edward
Senior Member
Considering the family owns a nice piece of that block they could do many things with it.
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Sam the Record Man Closure
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Skeezix
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A heritage designation does not mean that they must remain in situ for all time. It just gives the City a level of control over their fate, that's all.
toforumer
Active Member
Has anyone gone into the store? Is all the merchandise marked down?
wyliepoon
Senior Member
Star
Link to article
Ryerson eyeing Sam the Record Man building
Jun 16, 2007 04:30 AM
Robyn Doolittle
Staff Reporter
Sam the Ryerson Man?
Perhaps if the university's president, Sheldon Levy, gets his way.
For the past year and a half, Ryerson University has been in talks with the Sniderman family to purchase the landmark music shop next door. The school made an offer six months ago, but so far, Levy said they haven't heard back.
The store announced two weeks ago it would close for good at the end of June.
Bobby Sniderman, one of the owners and son of Sam Sniderman — the man who built the flagship shop 70 years ago — did not want to comment on Ryerson's offer, saying only the store hasn't been put on the market yet. "Once the store closes, the family will decide what happens to the property," he said.
Giving Ryerson a face on Yonge St. has been a goal of Levy's master plan to rejuvenate and expand the campus over the next 20 years. The university is located just behind Sam the Record Man on Gould St.
If successful, Levy said the university has plans to extend the school's library facility by building across an alleyway that separates the two properties and build up to create an expansive study space. The building's ground floor and possibly the second would be kept as commercial outlets to maintain the area's energy, he said.
Levy said the school would seek government grants and donations to fund the acquisition.
"(Sam's) is part of the city's heritage," Levy said. "We'd like to work with the family to preserve it."
That may even include the flagship store's historic sign, which will be up for auction along with other Sam's memorabilia June 27. See benacosales.com/samspicpage.htm for details.
Link to article
Ryerson eyeing Sam the Record Man building
Jun 16, 2007 04:30 AM
Robyn Doolittle
Staff Reporter
Sam the Ryerson Man?
Perhaps if the university's president, Sheldon Levy, gets his way.
For the past year and a half, Ryerson University has been in talks with the Sniderman family to purchase the landmark music shop next door. The school made an offer six months ago, but so far, Levy said they haven't heard back.
The store announced two weeks ago it would close for good at the end of June.
Bobby Sniderman, one of the owners and son of Sam Sniderman — the man who built the flagship shop 70 years ago — did not want to comment on Ryerson's offer, saying only the store hasn't been put on the market yet. "Once the store closes, the family will decide what happens to the property," he said.
Giving Ryerson a face on Yonge St. has been a goal of Levy's master plan to rejuvenate and expand the campus over the next 20 years. The university is located just behind Sam the Record Man on Gould St.
If successful, Levy said the university has plans to extend the school's library facility by building across an alleyway that separates the two properties and build up to create an expansive study space. The building's ground floor and possibly the second would be kept as commercial outlets to maintain the area's energy, he said.
Levy said the school would seek government grants and donations to fund the acquisition.
"(Sam's) is part of the city's heritage," Levy said. "We'd like to work with the family to preserve it."
That may even include the flagship store's historic sign, which will be up for auction along with other Sam's memorabilia June 27. See benacosales.com/samspicpage.htm for details.
dt_toronto_geek
Superstar
Yes, 20% off everything except if it's blue tagged but the pickings are very slim. The upper floors and the Gould Street side (formally "Sam The Tape Man") areas are already closed.
nicetommy
Active Member
I just heard on CTVNews that city council voted today to designate the facade and the neon sign as a protected landmark. Any new owner will have to keep the facade and the neon signs.
MetroMan
Senior Member
Wuu huu...
does the building have to stay though?
I'd love to see Ryerson build something new there and incorporate the signs.
I just read your post more closely and realized that only the façade needs to stay... so this would be a good candidate to knocking down the building but preserving the façade.
does the building have to stay though?
I'd love to see Ryerson build something new there and incorporate the signs.
I just read your post more closely and realized that only the façade needs to stay... so this would be a good candidate to knocking down the building but preserving the façade.
nicetommy
Active Member
According to TheStar the entire property is protected... but CTV News specifically stated just the Facade and the Neon Signs. So I dunno which news source is the correct one now.
From: TheStar
Jun 23, 2007 04:30 AM
Donovan Vincent
City Hall Bureau
The iconic Sam the Record Man sign has been saved from the auction block.
City hall politicians voted yesterday to designate the Yonge St. record store – set to close next Saturday – a heritage building, protecting the famous spinning discs. The sign was set to be auctioned next Wednesday.
The Ontario Heritage Act doesn't allow signs to be saved for their heritage character, explained area Councillor Kyle Rae, so the city opted to protect the whole property. The large neon discs, the two "Sam'' signs above and the backlit sign below will also be protected.
Since the closing of Sam's was announced last month, a movement emerged to protect the sign. Rae, raised in Oakville, didn't understand the fuss at first: "I wasn't convinced in the beginning this was of any heritage significance." But meeting with the city's Heritage Preservation Services staff, he learned how important Sam's was to many who grew up in Toronto.
"We'll sit down with the owner or future owners as the property is being sold, and we hope to be able to maintain the two discs and `Sam' signs on the rooftop as part of the ongoing history of Yonge St.,'' Rae said. Sam Sniderman's sons, Jason and Bobby, began operating the store as a new business in 2002 after the original store filed for bankruptcy and closed in late 2001. Jason said that while the city's decision is "flattering'' for the family, maintaining the sign will take care and expense. The city offers grants to preserve heritage properties.
From: TheStar
Jun 23, 2007 04:30 AM
Donovan Vincent
City Hall Bureau
The iconic Sam the Record Man sign has been saved from the auction block.
City hall politicians voted yesterday to designate the Yonge St. record store – set to close next Saturday – a heritage building, protecting the famous spinning discs. The sign was set to be auctioned next Wednesday.
The Ontario Heritage Act doesn't allow signs to be saved for their heritage character, explained area Councillor Kyle Rae, so the city opted to protect the whole property. The large neon discs, the two "Sam'' signs above and the backlit sign below will also be protected.
Since the closing of Sam's was announced last month, a movement emerged to protect the sign. Rae, raised in Oakville, didn't understand the fuss at first: "I wasn't convinced in the beginning this was of any heritage significance." But meeting with the city's Heritage Preservation Services staff, he learned how important Sam's was to many who grew up in Toronto.
"We'll sit down with the owner or future owners as the property is being sold, and we hope to be able to maintain the two discs and `Sam' signs on the rooftop as part of the ongoing history of Yonge St.,'' Rae said. Sam Sniderman's sons, Jason and Bobby, began operating the store as a new business in 2002 after the original store filed for bankruptcy and closed in late 2001. Jason said that while the city's decision is "flattering'' for the family, maintaining the sign will take care and expense. The city offers grants to preserve heritage properties.
Long Island Mike
Senior Member
Good News on the Sam's front...
NT: Glad to see that the signs and perhaps the building also was saved!
LI MIKE
NT: Glad to see that the signs and perhaps the building also was saved!
LI MIKE
Skeezix
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The Ontario Heritage Act only allows a municipality to designate properties, not buildings or structures per se, but the designation by-law would identify the signage as the heritage resource elements to be preserved. Given the size and location of the signage, though, there isn't much anyone could do with that property, beyond leasing out the existing building, without first having to sit down with the City's heritage preservation staff to get their okay.
Skeezix
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Even though I never shopped there anymore, I always get melancholy hearing about these auctions. Felt the same way when the auctioneers were busy selling off all the Eaton's stuff too...
Sam's items on the block
Jun 26, 2007 11:51 AM
Curtis Rush
Staff Reporter
The countdown is on for anyone hoping to buy a memento from iconic Yonge St. landmark Sam the Record Man, which is closing for good on Saturday.
Hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, antiques and collectables inside the store can be viewed today from noon to 5 p.m. in a pre-auction showing.
The one-day auction starts at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday. Doors open at 9 a.m.
Sheldon Miller, president of auction company Benaco Sales Ltd., says that as many as 800 people can be accommodated inside the 7,000 square foot auction area inside the store, located off the Edward St. entrance.
"If we have to, we'll put people outside and it will be broadcast on the south side of the building," Miller said. "As long as people are registered, we'll have spotters out there and will try to incorporate them into the sale."
Included in the 850 lots on offer are about 100 signed pieces of memorabilia, including posters and pictures signed by the likes of Shania Twain, U2 and Celine Dion.
The iconic "Sam the Record Man" signs and two giant neon discs on the building’s west side will be retained by the city as part of a Yonge St. preservation project, but three smaller neon discs on the building are up for grabs.
Another interesting offering is a rack wall, each section of which is signed by such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Burton Cummings and Steven Tyler.
"The flat walls are used to hang hooks on them and they've been signed over the years by different artists," said Miller. "We'll unscrew it and they can frame it and have major piece of history."
Some items in the unusual category include a five-seat shoeshine station, antique pinball games, indoor marquee signs, a neon guitar, chandeliers, bars and a jukebox.
Even store fixtures such as 100,000 CD security cases are up for grabs.
Bidders have to register by providing a $300 refundable deposit by credit card, cash or debit on site.
There is no online registration.
People can also enter proxy bids today by calling 416-667-0712 or sending an email to Benaco naming the item they're interested in and what their maximum bid will be. Once their credit card information is confirmed, the auctioneer will bid for them on Wednesday.
No proxy bids will be registered tomorrow.
Preparing for a huge influx of bidders, the auctioneers are warning that it's first-come, first-served.
People are encouraged to come down today and register for the bidding tomorrow.
Miller calls it a "non-expectation auction," meaning his company wasn't entirely sure what it would be offering for sale.
As late as last night, the family of Sam’s founder Sam Sniderman was still deciding which items would be offered for sale. However, Miller added, about 97 per cent of what was in the store as recently as two weeks ago is going on the auction block, including an antique chair that was Sniderman's "throne," Miller said.
Amazingly, the retail part of the store will remain open for business on auction day.
"This is probably a first anywhere," Miller said, laughing. "There are still a lot of CDs to be sold."
The catalogue is now posted on the Benaco website.
Sam's items on the block
Jun 26, 2007 11:51 AM
Curtis Rush
Staff Reporter
The countdown is on for anyone hoping to buy a memento from iconic Yonge St. landmark Sam the Record Man, which is closing for good on Saturday.
Hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, antiques and collectables inside the store can be viewed today from noon to 5 p.m. in a pre-auction showing.
The one-day auction starts at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday. Doors open at 9 a.m.
Sheldon Miller, president of auction company Benaco Sales Ltd., says that as many as 800 people can be accommodated inside the 7,000 square foot auction area inside the store, located off the Edward St. entrance.
"If we have to, we'll put people outside and it will be broadcast on the south side of the building," Miller said. "As long as people are registered, we'll have spotters out there and will try to incorporate them into the sale."
Included in the 850 lots on offer are about 100 signed pieces of memorabilia, including posters and pictures signed by the likes of Shania Twain, U2 and Celine Dion.
The iconic "Sam the Record Man" signs and two giant neon discs on the building’s west side will be retained by the city as part of a Yonge St. preservation project, but three smaller neon discs on the building are up for grabs.
Another interesting offering is a rack wall, each section of which is signed by such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Burton Cummings and Steven Tyler.
"The flat walls are used to hang hooks on them and they've been signed over the years by different artists," said Miller. "We'll unscrew it and they can frame it and have major piece of history."
Some items in the unusual category include a five-seat shoeshine station, antique pinball games, indoor marquee signs, a neon guitar, chandeliers, bars and a jukebox.
Even store fixtures such as 100,000 CD security cases are up for grabs.
Bidders have to register by providing a $300 refundable deposit by credit card, cash or debit on site.
There is no online registration.
People can also enter proxy bids today by calling 416-667-0712 or sending an email to Benaco naming the item they're interested in and what their maximum bid will be. Once their credit card information is confirmed, the auctioneer will bid for them on Wednesday.
No proxy bids will be registered tomorrow.
Preparing for a huge influx of bidders, the auctioneers are warning that it's first-come, first-served.
People are encouraged to come down today and register for the bidding tomorrow.
Miller calls it a "non-expectation auction," meaning his company wasn't entirely sure what it would be offering for sale.
As late as last night, the family of Sam’s founder Sam Sniderman was still deciding which items would be offered for sale. However, Miller added, about 97 per cent of what was in the store as recently as two weeks ago is going on the auction block, including an antique chair that was Sniderman's "throne," Miller said.
Amazingly, the retail part of the store will remain open for business on auction day.
"This is probably a first anywhere," Miller said, laughing. "There are still a lot of CDs to be sold."
The catalogue is now posted on the Benaco website.
ShonTron
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And Ryerson seems to really want the Sam's Block.
Yes! This is Ryerson - That's Entertainment!
From the Star:
Ryerson will play hardball to get Sam's
Plans to ask province to expropriate property if Snidermans won't deal
Jun 28, 2007 04:30 AM
Daniel Girard
Education Reporter
Ryerson University will ask Queen's Park to expropriate the Sam the Record Man building if it fails to negotiate a deal to buy it from the Sniderman family.
Ryerson president Sheldon Levy said while the university's preference is to reach an agreement to pay market value for 347 Yonge St., the site is "too important for current and future students" to see it sold to anyone else.
"We will take a look at every tool that is available to us in order to be able to secure that property," Levy said in an interview last night. "We need it to meet the demands we have for student space."
Levy said he's had discussions with the Snidermans about the "urgency" of negotiating a deal for the building, which has housed Sam's flagship store since 1961 and will close its doors Saturday.
He described on-and-off negotiations over more than a year as "respectful and slow."
Refusing to get into specific figures, Levy said Ryerson is prepared to pay the going rate for the building out of its operating budget. If expropriated, the price is fixed by law at the market value.
In March, a building at Yonge and Gerrard Sts., right next to campus, sold for $19 million.
Sniderman paid $140,000 to buy 347 Yonge St. from a furniture merchant in 1961, according to a 1967 story on the battle between Sam and rival record merchant A & A in the magazine Canadian.
Neither company founder, Sam Sniderman, nor his sons, Jason and Robert, who now run it, could be reached for comment last night. Earlier this month, Robert refused to discuss a possible deal with Ryerson, telling the Toronto Star "once the store closes, the family will decide what happens to the property."
Sam Sniderman, who in 1997 received an honorary doctorate from Ryerson, attended a Canadian Club speech in March of last year in which Levy talked about one day possibly redeveloping the store site. The family patriarch said of Levy to reporters at the time: "I hope he is very successful."
Under the Expropriations Act, a university can request the province take over land for it without the consent of the owner. The decision would rest with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
Yes! This is Ryerson - That's Entertainment!
From the Star:
Ryerson will play hardball to get Sam's
Plans to ask province to expropriate property if Snidermans won't deal
Jun 28, 2007 04:30 AM
Daniel Girard
Education Reporter
Ryerson University will ask Queen's Park to expropriate the Sam the Record Man building if it fails to negotiate a deal to buy it from the Sniderman family.
Ryerson president Sheldon Levy said while the university's preference is to reach an agreement to pay market value for 347 Yonge St., the site is "too important for current and future students" to see it sold to anyone else.
"We will take a look at every tool that is available to us in order to be able to secure that property," Levy said in an interview last night. "We need it to meet the demands we have for student space."
Levy said he's had discussions with the Snidermans about the "urgency" of negotiating a deal for the building, which has housed Sam's flagship store since 1961 and will close its doors Saturday.
He described on-and-off negotiations over more than a year as "respectful and slow."
Refusing to get into specific figures, Levy said Ryerson is prepared to pay the going rate for the building out of its operating budget. If expropriated, the price is fixed by law at the market value.
In March, a building at Yonge and Gerrard Sts., right next to campus, sold for $19 million.
Sniderman paid $140,000 to buy 347 Yonge St. from a furniture merchant in 1961, according to a 1967 story on the battle between Sam and rival record merchant A & A in the magazine Canadian.
Neither company founder, Sam Sniderman, nor his sons, Jason and Robert, who now run it, could be reached for comment last night. Earlier this month, Robert refused to discuss a possible deal with Ryerson, telling the Toronto Star "once the store closes, the family will decide what happens to the property."
Sam Sniderman, who in 1997 received an honorary doctorate from Ryerson, attended a Canadian Club speech in March of last year in which Levy talked about one day possibly redeveloping the store site. The family patriarch said of Levy to reporters at the time: "I hope he is very successful."
Under the Expropriations Act, a university can request the province take over land for it without the consent of the owner. The decision would rest with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
Skeezix
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It will be interesting to see if Ryerson lands the property. If any developers are willing to pay a premium for the site, then those offers would be evidence of the true market value of the site, and Ryerson or the Province might find the price too steep, even in an expropriation.
Of course, the heritage designation may, in fact, depress the market value of the land somewhat (unless a developer is willing to incorporate the signage into its development, a la Tip Top Lofts).
I suspect that Ryerson is making noise in the media to try and scare other potential purchasers away.
Of course, the heritage designation may, in fact, depress the market value of the land somewhat (unless a developer is willing to incorporate the signage into its development, a la Tip Top Lofts).
I suspect that Ryerson is making noise in the media to try and scare other potential purchasers away.
samsonyuen
Active Member
I can't think of what else would want such a big property...Leon's?
MetroMan
Senior Member
How would Ryerson incorporate Sam's into their campus? I know they want a Yonge St. address but what would be in the building? Would they need to add floors?