47th Street Photo

47th Street Photo[1] was a store in New York City described as a pioneer of "the idea of discount consumer electronics retailing in New York."[2] Tourists with a halting English would mistakenly ask for 47th Street Camera.[3][4] Furthermore, "its reputation spread across the country through a lucrative mail-order business."[1] The store operated from 1967 to 1997.

History

"Beginning in 1967, 47th Street Photo helped pioneer the idea of discount consumer electronics retailing in New York."[2] They were "known for being the first with the latest gadgets at the lowest prices."[1] The New York Times proclaimed that "No other store seemed to have so much merchandise and so few displays," [5] resulting in lines: "Any time you come in, you've got to wait."

The store expanded to five locations, but during an economic downturn the 47th street location closed; eventually so did three more. In 1995 the store's name was licensed for use by another management team; they oversaw what became the company's closing,[2] by which time a geographically not too distant competitor, Willoughby's celebrated its 100th anniversary.[6][7]

Other competitors of 47th Street Photo included Newmark and Lewis, Crazy Eddie, Trader Horn, Tops Appliance City, and P.C. Richard & Son.[8] The store's founder's problems continued beyond the 1997 closing.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ a b c Stephanie Strom (January 22, 1992). "47th St. Photo Files for Bankruptcy". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b c Kirk Johnson (March 27, 1997). "With Questionable Future, 47th St. Photo Closes Doors". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "About New York". The New York Times. January 8, 1983.
  4. ^ "Re: 47th Street Camera". Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com). August 3, 2020.
  5. ^ James Barron (January 23, 1992). "47th STREET JOURNAL; A Bankrupt but Still Popular Mecca". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "In Digital Age, Willoughby's Remakes". The New York Times. November 20, 1997. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  7. ^ "C.G. WILLOUGHBY, CAMERA DEALER; Founder in '98 of Photographic Supply Store Bearing His Name Is Dead at 84". The New York Times. June 9, 1951. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  8. ^ Thomas J. Lueck (December 17, 1997). "The Wiz Files for Federal Bankruptcy Protection". The New York Times.
  9. ^ Kirk Johnson (September 26, 1997). "New Charges Filed At 47th Street Photo". The New York Times.
  10. ^ "Ex-Owner of 47th St. Photo Guilty of Fraud". The New York Times. March 8, 1998.