RIP Sams
 

The story that Binny's is buying what's left of Sam's hit the press last night.

I wish I could shed a tear, since I loved the old Sam's, but they've been a shell of their former selves for many years - horrid selection and most of the staff fled ship like the proverbial rats (or were chased away).

The news reports blame their demise on a ill-fated expansion plan, but I believe the real cause is that they badly lost their way - a process that began before the expansion. Really really sam, Sam's was a powerhouse worldwide - dropping my Sam's connections got me into more than one French winery that is normally closed to the public. Those days are now gone.

Yes, that ancient old Sam's on North was lots of fun back in the 90s. Then they had to expand.

Assuming you're talking about the building on the NE corner of North/Halsted, the building still exists in a very yuppified form. What an amazing store, you went down the basement (literally) to where the good wine was.

They had a great run in their latest location, but the Rosen sons ruined it.

That basement was great, even including the rodent traps. I remember a few characters hanging out in the parking lot also. But it was THE place to shop and they had knowledgeable help.

It's been forever since I was there, but it was near the street when you were facing the Goose Island Brewpub from North Ave.

This is very disappointing. I was in the Lincoln Park store a couple of days ago and there were an awful lot of gaps on the shelf, so maybe things will improve after Binnys take over. However, there are a lot of obscure things that Binnys never stock that I fear won't be seen again, and I'm sure it's going to be bad news for prices, too.

I miss what Sam's was, but not what it is these days. As other's have said, they seemed to be out of a lot of wines in and frequently the ones I wanted. I gave up about a year ago, and now enjoy two smaller neighborhood wine stores, even though I am paying a little more.

That's the newish store. The original Sams was on the exact corner of North/Halsted NE - and was a building that was falling down around them. Horrid place,actually, but with amazing wines.

You and everyone else who cared about wine. Really sad, but I'm afraid that their death is their own fault. The new generation just didn't have a clue. They alienated their customer base and (apparently) their suppliers. I remember the days of the Sams Grand Tastings, where you couldn't drag a leg through the place. All long gone.

My first experience with Sam's was in the mid '70's - going with friends who really new about wine. I know the neighborhood at that time was not the most hospitible -- I think someone stood guard at the car.
The basement was an adventure. Another part of my "old" Chicago gone.:(