RIP Sams
Oct 9, 2009 | 12:53 pm
#1
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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.
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.
Oct 10, 2009 | 1:49 pm
#3
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They had a great run in their latest location, but the Rosen sons ruined it.
Oct 12, 2009 | 8:25 am
#4
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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.
They had a great run in their latest location, but the Rosen sons ruined it.
Oct 12, 2009 | 12:16 pm
#5
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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.
They had a great run in their latest location, but the Rosen sons ruined it.
Oct 14, 2009 | 6:27 am
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 456
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.
Oct 14, 2009 | 9:23 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 5,209
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.
Oct 14, 2009 | 2:44 pm
#8
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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.
Oct 14, 2009 | 2:51 pm
#9
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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.
Oct 16, 2009 | 11:12 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Bloomington IN
Posts: 891
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.
The basement was an adventure. Another part of my "old" Chicago gone.