In my younger days, I did not notice this circumstance. Now that I am older, my experience warns me to this future feature of urban landscape. The loss of the photography store. Last night, after work I walked from the train station for two city blocks. The camera store was open and but not bustling with customers as was usual.
I had gone inside and noticed the look of the store had changed.
Once where cameras filled a display case, jewelry replaced these icons of the past. Further along, another display case featured wallets and purses. Behind the register was a wall covered with assorted batteries packaged for sale. There were two very large machines capable of printing photographs from film and digital media. Against the opposite wall were shelves that held various photo frames. In the back of the store there was a tiny portrait studio for creating passport photos. As I walked to the front of the store, there was yet another display case full of mobile phones.
I thought to myself how the store had changed. Yet there were still remnants of the past amongst the newly filled display cabinets. There were nicely organized but dust covered film cameras from the past. Each with a small tag telling me of the price. Significantly cheaper than I remember, each was a museum piece. I picked up two rolls of film. You could imagine my surprise when the clerk told me the price of each roll was twenty five dollars. I was aghast both physically and emotionally.
Even from my long distant past, I can’t imagine spending so much money for a roll of film that I am to sell my wife’s prized Comfort Tiffany lamp.
I am inclined to sell my film cameras but they have an immersive sentimental value now.
But times have changed. The brick and mortar venue where one can select a camera from a wide selection is now relegated to an online store, left to scroll for pages and days ‘til an appropriate camera can be decided upon.
Which film to choose from? Film has become elusive commanding more but lacking the variations that once emerged.
I decided to purchase the same rolls on line almost paying the same but with tax, postage and handling.
I am reminded of my two favorite stores discarded like an open cardboard box from a roll of film.

The first store I remember was from my days in High School. It was Olden Camera Store. It was on the corner of Broadway and East 33rd Street in New York City. I had to walk up all those stairs to get to the selling floor. I ended up buying a
Zenit-E. On the next corner is Bryant Park.
As the years passed, I would eventually go to Raleigh Camera. It was in the middle of the street on Flatbush Avenue and Ave P in Brooklyn. I ended up buying my Canon EOS Rebel 2000. If I remember correctly, the owner, Ms Russell sold me that gem. What a fantastic camera then. I still have both cameras which operate flawlessly.

But Gone are not the Brick and Mortar store as many might believe. I have found B&H. While their online store is fantastic the actual store on 34th Street and 9th Avenue is amazing. I have found the floor staff is terrific. They do not try to sell me something I don’t need or is too expensive. The cashiers are patient and considerate. Even if I go into the store, I will always get a handful of the candies which I love as a delightful treat.
Thank you to the owners of B&H who decided not to relinquish their bricks to a Burger King or a bus depot!