The Last Picture Shop: Sandrian Camera Closes Doors in January

Eight decades after opening their doors, Sandrian Camera will be closing permanently early in the New Year. According to a store employee in Morristown, the shop had a lot of overhead and not a lot of revenue.

That statement echoed what owner Peter Sandrian Jr. told the Hunterdon County Democrat at their Clinton store.

“This year has just gotten to be more than I would want to repeat,” Sandrian said.

Sandrian said that a number of factors figured into the decline of the business, but the digital influx hurt the print side of the business and that as digital cameras were phasing in film sales and printing volume would take another step downward.

The shop was initially opened by Peter Sandrian Sr. in 1927. Peter Sandrian, Jr., took over the business 42 years later and expanded to the Clinton store in 1979 (also closing in Jan.). The Sandrian’s continued to adapt as more amateur photographers began coming into the shop, they opened their own photo lab (rather than send the prints out) in order to provide high-quality photos and enlargements that his customers could not get anywhere else. In recent years they even added custom framing as a way to remain viable. Unfortunately it provided only a stay of execution.  

“I have always said that if we can't continue to serve our customers with the courtesy and care they deserve, we would stop,” Sandrian said. “ We can't afford to continue.”

The shop continues to empty out their warehouse and will remain open as they sell off everything, including the fixtures and equipment in the store. Sandrian said customers should come back often over the next few weeks as new things will be arriving daily.

“We are grateful for the 86 years of serving you, and for the support we have received from our community,” Sandrian said.

Sandrian Camera has locations at 72 South St. in Morristown and 21 Old Highway 22 in Clinton.

Tell Us: Will you miss Sandrian Camera? Where will you go to get your photo fix?