Adorama
{{Short description|Electronics, and film equipment retailer}}{{More citations needed|date=February 2025}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Adorama Camera, Inc.
| type = Private
| logo = Adorama logo.svg
| foundation = {{start date and age|1974}}{{cite web |url=http://www.adorama.com/g/history |title=Our History |website=Adorama |access-date=12 June 2020}}
| founder = Mendel Mendlowits{{cite web |url=http://www.adorama.com/alc/remembering-mendel-mendlowits-the-founder-of-adorama |title=Remembering Mendel Mendlowits, the Founder of Adorama |website=Adorama |date=13 April 2020 |access-date=12 June 2020}}
| location = New York City, New York, United States{{cite web |url=http://nymag.com/listings/stores/adorama/ |title=Adorama |website=New York Magazine}}
| industry = Retail
| products = Cameras, video, film, audio, computers, electronics.
| key_people = Eugene Mendlowits (Chairman/Owner)
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.adorama.com/}}
}}
Adorama Camera, Inc is a camera, electronics, and film equipment retailer launched in 1974. Apart from their online shopping websites (Adorama, Sunny Sports, Leisure Pro, Scuba.com, PRINTIQUE){{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701213445/http://www.finance.yahoo.com/news/adorama-unveils-edge-credit-card-185300707.html |archive-date=2020-07-01 |url=http://www.finance.yahoo.com/news/adorama-unveils-edge-credit-card-185300707.html |access-date=12 June 2020 |title=Adorama Unveils All-New Edge Credit Card |agency=PR Newswire |date=June 11, 2020 |website=Yahoo! Finance}} they have a large multi-floor Chelsea store, which is located at 42 West, 18th Street, New York City, New York.
History
The business was founded by Mendel Mendlowits in 1974 with the goal to help out amateurs, hobbyists, and professionals in the photography community. With the goal of creating a business that was more than just a camera store, Adorama was set up to be an all-around resource for professional photographers in the news, modeling, and print industries.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VR77AAAAQBAJ&dq=adorama+history&pg=PA44 |last=Martin |first=Tom |title=The Invisible Sale: How to Build a Digitally Powered Marketing and Sales System to Better Prospect, Qualify and Close Leads |publisher=Que Publishing |year=2013 |pages=44–46|isbn=978-0-13-343127-8 }} Adorama also went on to establish its own photo lab, offer equipment rental, and run workshops through the Adorama Learning Center.{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2012/12/adorama-thrives-in-tough-national.html |last=Stern |first=Gary M. |title=Adorama's all-things-to-all-photographers philosophy pays off on web and in New York |work=The Business Journals |date=December 14, 2012}} By 2005, Adorama opened a warehouse in New Jersey.
Brands
=Adorama Rental Co.=
The company's brand of rental services, Adorama Rental Co., was founded in 1988.{{cite web |url=https://www.adoramarentals.com/i/AboutUs |website=Adorama Rental Co. |title=About Us}} It had multiple departments dedicated to renting out a wide range of equipment, from TV production, studio, and cinematography equipment to cameras. Short-term rentals were allowed and customers could have the items picked up or delivered nationwide.{{cite web |url=https://www.popphoto.com/gear/2014/10/how-to-renting-gear-pro |last=Richards |first=Dan |title=How-To: Renting Gear Like A Pro |website=Popular Photography |date=October 29, 2014}}
The store also established a Used Equipment Department where customers can purchase used merchandise or trade in their old equipment in exchange for cash or credit.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
=AdoramaPix=
In 1997, Adorama launched a photo printing and Flash-based photo book service via its sister website AdoramaPix, which allows users to create and customize their own hardcover photo book online for home delivery.{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2009/03/12/adoramapix-com-focuses-on-live-chat-to-launch-new-online-photo-b/ |last=Demery |first=Paul |title=AdoramaPix.com focuses on live chat to launch new online photo books |website=Digital Commerce 360 |date=March 12, 2009}}{{cite web |url=https://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/05/14/adoramapix-photo-book-review/ |last=Cloninger |first=Janet |title=AdoramaPix Photo Book Review |website=The Gadgeteer |date=May 14, 2010}}
By 2014, AdoramaPix had expanded their operations by moving to a larger in-house photo lab—a more than {{convert|20,000|ft2|adj=on}} photo production and printing facility in Brooklyn, New York. According to the Director of AdoramaPix, Herman Klein, the move to the bigger production house enabled “AdoramaPix to multiply our production capacity” and add "new features and services, including more options for custom cover books and same day shipping."{{cite press release |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/adoramapix_opens_state_of_the_art_photo_finishing_facility_in_brooklyn_new_york/prweb11820631.htm |title=AdoramaPix Opens State-of-the-Art Photo Finishing Facility in Brooklyn, New York |agency=Cision PR Web |date=May 6, 2014}}
In 2020, AdoramaPix rebranded as Printique.{{cn|date=July 2024}}
=Adorama Business Solutions=
In 2017, the company launched its business-to-business division, Adorama Business Solutions (ABS).{{cite web |url=https://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/300091691/crn-exclusive-retail-heavyweight-adorama-launches-b2b-solutions-segment-offering-consultation-support-services.htm |last=Shirkey |first=Alec |title=CRN Exclusive: Retail Heavyweight Adorama Launches B2B Solutions Segment Offering Consultation, Support Services |work=CRN |date=September 7, 2017}} The organization offers a range of commercial services such as consultations, procurement assistance, and technical and support services from pre-sale through post-sale for studios, broadcasters, networks, and educational and government institutions.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/adorama-launches-new-business-solutions |last=Bladerston |first=Michael |title=Adorama Launches New 'Business Solutions' |work=TV Technology |date=September 7, 2017}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/adorama_unveils_adorama_business_solutions_/prweb14670976.htm |title=Adorama Unveils 'Adorama Business Solutions' |agency=Cision PR Web |date=September 7, 2017}}
References
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Category:Photographic retailers
Category:Retail companies established in 1975
Category:Companies based in Manhattan
Category:Shops in New York City
Category:Consumer electronics retailers of the United States