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]
