Sherman Clay was founded in San Francisco in 1870 by Leander Sherman and owned by the Schwartz family since 1960. It once was the oldest and largest piano chain in America. Steinway & Sons will be taking over the stores on Mission St. in San Francisco and in Walnut Creek and change them into Steinway Galleries. Sherman Clay’s shops in Santa Clara and Sacramento will close entirely. Sherman Clay will continue to run its stores in Seattle and Houston.
“We will miss working with our many friends and associates in the Bay Area, relationships that span decades,” said Schwartz. “However, the sale to Steinway will allow us to focus more attention on our other business interests in commercial real estate, retail sales financing, and paper manufacturing. We’re confident that Bay Area musicians and piano lovers will be in good hands with Steinway.”
