47th Street Photo

47th Street Photo[1] was 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] Thirty years after opening, they closed.

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]

Competitors of 47th Street Photo included Newmark and Lewis, Crazy Eddie, Trader Horn, Tops Appliance City, and P.C. Richard & Son.[6] The store's founder's problems continued beyond the 1997 closing.[7][8]

References
  1. Stephanie Strom (January 22, 1992). "47th St. Photo Files for Bankruptcy". The New York Times.
  2. 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. Thomas J. Lueck (December 17, 1997). "The Wiz Files for Federal Bankruptcy Protection". The New York Times.
  7. Kirk Johnson (September 26, 1997). "New Charges Filed At 47th Street Photo". The New York Times.
  8. "Ex-Owner of 47th St. Photo Guilty of Fraud". The New York Times. March 8, 1998.


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