Saturday Audio Exchange began in 1982 as a discount stereo store located on Clark Street in Chicago, open only 10 ½ hours a week. “No one buys stereo equipment on a Tuesday afternoon,” claimed owner Andy Zimmerman, who came up with the brilliant marketing strategy to open all day Saturday, hence the name, and a few hours on Thursday night.

As a man who appreciates great music heard through a great sound system, Zimmerman thought opening up a retail stereo store that catered to people with champagne taste on a beer budget would be a great hobby. He and his music-collector staff offered a selection of used, demo and discontinued stereo components, in addition to specializing in the sales and servicing of turntables. The idea of having limited hours allowed the store to maximize sales and minimize overhead, hence the low prices.

At Saturday Audio Exchange, success came fast when word spread that the store’s no-frill’s atmosphere was a place to find incredible deals on great equipment. In addition, customers had a fun time talking with the sales guys who had more knowledge of music and audio systems than any other store in Chicago. It was a simple idea that stuck, putting the Chicago audio store in a niche of its own.

As years went by, the store gained additional customers throughout Illinois and the Midwest. Andy began to carry more new merchandise and a larger location was needed. In September 2002, Saturday Audio moved to 1021 West Belmont where it is today. In addition to selling high-quality audio equipment, new and used, Saturday Audio Exchange began to specialize in audio consulting. The staff of 15 are all former audio storeowners and managers, product trainers and other experienced professionals who have devoted much of their lives to the audio industry.

Today the store boasts three showrooms where customers can listen to the equipment in living room-type settings. New, factory-sealed merchandise is now sold, in addition to slightly blemished factory seconds, demonstration models, overstocks and guaranteed used equipment. Saturday Audio continues to be one of the best sources for hard-to-find turntables, which the store also rebuilds. The store is one of the few in the region that accepts and offers trade-ins, an important niche for audiophiles constantly upgrading their equipment.

Andy continues to open the store for foot traffic a limited number of hours per week (they’re now open 14 ½ hrs./week, including Sunday), but employees work daily on phone and Internet orders, in addition to repairs and custom installations.