Oldest camera store

[John Rountree]

A response to another thread mentioned Central Camera in Chicago. I used to go to Central when I lived near Chicago, 30 years ago. I really miss that store with it's worn wooden floor and narrow aisle with stuff stacked to the ceiling. If I recall correctly it was opened in 1898 or thereabouts. Am I correct about the date? If so, does that make it the oldest U.S. camera store still in business?

 

[Rich Silfver]

Here are some old ones, still active: LINK

 

[Doug]

Didn't realize Central Camera was an old-time camera shop. Good for them for surviving and entering the online age! I bought my 45mm Planar-G from them at an excellent price. They were good to deal with.

 

[reub2000]

I go to Central Camera pretty often.

 

[AGN]

Here are some old ones, still active: LINK

Interesting link, thank you.

 

[dmr]

Ya know, I've seen that one from the El countless times, probably passed by it on foot, but for some reason never stopped in. I'm going to have to make it a point to do it next time in Chicago.

 

[Ken Ford]

Central is a gem!

 

[Trius]

Not as old as Dodd, but Rowe is close. They've morphed into more of an home entertainment store than I would like, but there are still some veterans there who appreciate good film cameras. Ane they're a Leica dealer.

Earl

 

[John Rountree]

Rich, Thanks for the link. I was quite surprised to see Ball Photo listed. It is only 15 miles from where I live. I knew it was established quite some time ago, but I had no idea that it was that old. BTW, Ervin Ball, the son of the store's founder was an avid Leica collector. When he died, his family found boxes and boxes of unused Leica cameras, lenses and miscellaneous gear.

 

[MadMan2k]

Pennington Camera is about 30 miles from me, and they've been open just over a hundred years. I've bought a few things there.

 

[Al Patterson]

I've bought some things at the Click stores in the Dayton area recently. I also bought film at Pennington in Durango. Small world. I used to like the Philly area Camera Shop before it became a part of Ritz.

These days I look for the smaller chains. There is a very good one in Delaware called "Cameras Etc." Only two stores and locally owned.

 

[OldNick]

I've bought some things at the Click stores in the Dayton area recently.

Al, you bring back old recollections. When I was stationed at Wright-Pat in the early 50s, Salem Camera Shop, near the intersection of Salem and Lexington in Dayton, was two blocks from our apartment. I spent a lot of time there and bought my first Leica there. I'm sure it is long gone by now.

Jim N.