I never heard of it, but then I never lived near it
Seems it started in 1946 for Pro Photographers
https://www.melpiercecamera.com/
Mel Pierce Camera
5645 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 465-2191
I just got my second order of ILFORD Postcard Paper
From
Mel Pierce Camera
13425 Figueroa St
Los Angeles CA
Tin Can
and all orders came from Amazon Ilford Store
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Tin Can
I believe it has been closed for quite some time. I got my first real camera, a new original Spotmatic, from Mel Pierce Camera.
I am holding a receipt from the package I just got with the last address I posted
Tin Can
Mel Pierce Camera used to be one the the pro shops in Hollywood for ages. I bought an Explorer hard case from them last year through ebay. I don't know if they have a physical store any more or just an online presence. But the price was good and the case was new.
The storefront on Hollywood Blvd indeed closed up a while back. It was a great store.
The Figueroa address was a “mailing address”. It’s not a great part of town so I’m not going to offer to check it out for you... but I don’t get the impression that it’s a retail store. It’s good to know that they transitioned to internet sales; I was unaware of that before you mentioned it.
Whoever is packing, is the best packer I have seen
The person cuts folds USPS free boxes with no waste, no filler, very little tape and then it is covered in a waterproof bag also very efficiently
Not a machine, and very clean
Tin Can
Maybe they have a new location next door to Pickwick Books. Not.
This camera store is my favorite of all time... Was 40's time warp, and you could almost expect Jack Nicholson with a fedora to walk in to buy an SG...
Mostly top quality repairs and even modifications back then, great stuff in cases and shelves for very reasonable money, friendly know-your-name very knowledgeable staff, and even a great set portrait 16×20 LF of Groucho Marx (by Fred Allen) on display to add to the time warp vibe... If you didn't see what you need, ask and they could find anything odd in their drawers...
Owner Ray Pierce sold biz to his #2 man last century business changed to online reseller of new photo stuff, somewhat seeming they where buying stuff from other sellers at a mark-up... Store remained open, but was filled with operators in work stations, and sales floor was dark with new half empty peg racks, and you had to wait over 1/2 hour to get someone's attention... So you left and went to Freestyle not far away...
Don't know the current status, but maybe/not at same location or operating as before...
Steve K
Sounds like a place that at one time would have had new Made-in-Hollywood Ries tripods...
David
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