Home Contact Updates Terms Links Mystery Trips San Francisco Page created October 16, 2006. Last updated October 21, 2014.
©2006-2014 Michael Strauch. All rights reserved.

ABOUT TOWER RECORDS:

Tower Records, named after Sacramento's Tower Theatre by founder Russ Solomon, was opened in 1960 and closed in 2006. It filed bankruptcy in 2004 and again in 2006. Great American Group, a liquidator, bought the Tower stores and announced closing of the chain on October 7, 2006. Prices, which were already rather inflated, were discounted 20% to start, then 30% at Halloween, and 40% by Thanksgiving. Inventories finally began to thin out through purchases and store transfers. Stores were closed by Christmas Eve.

Knowing the imminent closure of the chain, I set out and took photographs of ten California locations during 2006-2007.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA:

Tower Records at El Camino Real and San Antonio Rd. at night on September 24, 2005.

This photo from September 30, 2006 shows the sign on the side of the Mountain View store with a slipped 'O' in the word Books.

A twilight shot of the Mountain View store with closing signs on October 21, 2006.


Tower Records in Mountain View on December 15, 2006. Rasputin Music took over their lease and had a sign in the window announcing they would open soon.

Rasputin Music occupied the former Tower location in Mountain View until December 2011. Taken the night of April 27, 2007. Rasputin has since moved to another location, and Sprouts market has opened here.

COLUMBUS AVE., SAN FRANCISCO, CA:



The "flagship" store in San Francisco at Columbus Ave. and Bay St. included a Classical Annex across the street. When I took these daytime and nighttime pictures on November 28, 2006, the Annex had already closed. Classical music was relocated in the main store "for your convenience" (that's what the signs on the windows said).

The main building of the Columbus Ave. store on November 16, 2007. Two photos added 08/01/12.

The empty Tower Records Classical Annex was still labeled such as seen on the evening of February 24, 2010. The building had not been purchased or leased since closing. Four photos added 03/27/12.

The original Tower Records store building was replaced with a new Walgreens pharmacy by August 22, 2012. The classical annex, however, still stood unoccupied and wearing Tower signage. Three photos added 08/28/12.

CAMPBELL, CA:

Tower Records on Bascom Ave. in Campbell on the evening of October 15, 2006. One photo added 10/21/14.



Tower Records on Bascom Ave. in Campbell on November 16, 2006.

MARKET AND NOE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA:

Market at Noe Streets. Upper floor housed music and north end of ground floor housed video (formerly tape rentals, later DVD sales). Photos taken November 21, 2006.

STONESTOWN GALLERIA, SAN FRANCISCO, CA:


The Stonestown Galleria location was on the north end of the mall in the upstairs part of a building which was formerly occupied on the ground floor by CompUSA/Good Guys. Photos taken November 21, 2006.

SAN JOSE, CA:


Blossom Hill Rd. at Santa Teresa Blvd. in the Oakridge area of San Jose, November 16, 2006.

SAN MATEO, CA:


The San Mateo location of Tower Records occupied one half of a "WOW" Store with CompUSA (formerly Good Guys) on Hillsdale Ave. at El Camino Real. Photos taken November 21, 2006.

NORTHRIDGE, CA:

The Northridge store on November 1, 2006.

SANTA MONICA, CA:

The vacant Tower Records store at 328 Santa Monica Blvd. between Third and Fourth Sts. on February 20, 2007.

WOODLAND HILLS, CA:

Topanga Canyon Rd. near Victory on November 1, 2006.