PICKWICK/MUSICLAND

This famous/infamous record (what they now call vinyl) company started out as Pickwick Sales before becoming Pickwick International. From 1967 to 1977, the company was located on Wayzata Blvd. in Golden Valley. In 1968 the company was merged with record companies owned by J.L. Marsh and the Heilicher Brothers. Amos and Daniel Heilicher served as industry executive advisors.

In 1977, Pickwick bought the building at 7500 Excelsior Blvd. (near the Hopkins border) from Coast to Coast, which built the building in 1956. At the time of the move, Pickwick was the largest record distributor in the US and UK and had 280 retail record shops. Unfortunately, a Pickwick record generally meant poor quality, both in the recording and the vinyl itself. As one critic noted, it was at one time “one of the largest purveyors of junk records in the world.”

In November 1987, Musicland staged “Minnesota’s largest groundbreaking” to celebrate a new addition to its distribution center. 280 employees, each with a shovel, formed a giant M on the lawn, attempting to get into the Guiness Book of Records.

MUSICLAND COMPANY TIMELINE

1951-Sam Goody opens first Sam Goody store.

1956-First Musicland store opens in Minneapolis, Minn.

1964-Musicland merges with JL Marsh.

1968-JL Marsh merges with Pickwick International.

1977-American Can Company purchases Pickwick International.

1978-American Can Company purchases Sam Goody, Musicland stores transition to Sam Goody.

1984-Musicland acquires 26 Harmony Hut stores which are converted to Sam Goody.

1986- First Suncoast store opens in Roseville, Minn., as Paramount Pictures.

1987-Musicland's president, Jack Eugster, and 15 other senior managers purchase Musicland from American Can Company. Musicland becomes privately-held.

1988-Paramount Pictures name changes to Suncoast Motion Picture Company.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.