Camera stores used to be a staple in many American communities – places where both experienced photographers and amateurs alike could go to check out and learn about new equipment, receive advice and assistance, rent cameras or gear, and (of course) develop their film if they didn’t have a dark room available. The past two decades have seen an absolute collapse in the brick-and-mortar retail market, however, and now finding a good camera shop is a bit of a rarity, a bit akin to finding a working payphone. While there are many reasons for this, which predictably include the rise of online retail and the unfair advantages it gives to sites that sell any goods, the advent of smartphone photography has also had an enormous impact. Oddly enough, while photography as a hobby has never had as much widespread interest or been as accessible to the average shutterbug, the industry itself has been absorbed mainly into large mega-distributors, leaving a photo enthusiast looking for hands-on training or community building with few options.

All of this is to say that the opening of a new camera emporium is something to be supported and celebrated by the photo community. Unique Photo’s new flagship store in Old City, Philadelphia opened on October 9, 2021, and in many ways, harkens back to what made visiting photo stores so fun and memorable. My visit was during the annual Unique Photo Camera Show, a packed event where demos and seminars were offered, new cameras and lenses were on display, and great deals were offered. It’s a bold move by Unique Photo, which operates the largest camera store in New Jersey. Their Fairfield shop had a similar overstuffed charm and a staff of seasoned professionals who are more than happy to expound on the merits of a lens or offer a solution if you have a camera problem.

Unique Photo is not a new name in camera stores: their original store was founded in Brooklyn, NY, in 1947 by Bernard and Harriet Sweetwood. Bernard noticed that Macy’s was running low on camera equipment due to wartime rationing of materials and promised he could deliver the cameras they needed. After following through on his promise, he used the money to found his family’s first store. The company has remained in the family, with sons Matthew and Jonathan taking over in the 1980s and Alexander Sweetwood becoming the CEO in 2015. While the over 20 stores Unique Photos operated at their peak are mostly gone, the company still claims to be the largest supplier of film in the US and received the last batch of Polaroid film ever made.

Currently, the Unique Photo stores are a treat for both expert photographers and people who would like to improve their skills. The Unique University Classes teach over 1,000 people a month techniques ranging from wedding photography, lighting, Photoshop, and camera basics. Their Philadelphia store rents all sorts of gear so you can try before you buy, develops film, has a beautiful gallery and classroom space, and offers a welcoming community for those who would like to share their passion. Places like this can’t exist without the support of the public, though, so if you’re looking for that perfect new camera, I highly recommend ordering from them – they’ll be happy to help walk you through the settings if you get stumped, too!