Samuel Music to Close Effingham Retail Operation

Samuel Music Co., a full-service retail music company serving area music needs for over 65 years, will be closing its guitar, piano, and print music departments in its Effingham location next month.  

Samuel Music was founded in 1946 as a school band retailer.  As they grew, they served the needs of the community by selling not only band instruments, but radios, televisions, and even records. At their height, they had retail store operations throughout Illinois.  As the consumer and the industry changed, they closed stores in smaller markets such as Salem, Casey, Robinson, Vincennes, and Mattoon, concentrating instead on serving the markets of Effingham, Champaign and Springfield.

“Today, we are again realigning our priorities and marketing focus,” said Dean Samuel, owner of Samuel Music. “Our full line retail model is no longer viable in the small market of Effingham forcing us to close the guitar, piano, and print music departments in Effingham next month. We are going back to our initial focus of providing superior service and sales support to students, both through band and lessons,” he added.

Although the retail portion of the store will close, Samuel Music will continue with all band efforts and will continue teaching lessons. Additionally, the operation functions that support the other retail locations will remain in Effingham.  The Champaign and Springfield locations will not be affected and remain open. 

The Effingham location will host a large sale open to the general public beginning Friday, May 10, to sell all merchandise from the guitar, piano, and print music departments.