I remember reading a review of the TV comedy series Seinfeld which criticized it for focusing on the insignificant and inconsequential, the characters indulging and obsessing over things of no import. I think the reviewer missed the point and apparently didn’t see the self-referential classic episode explaining the raison d’etre, where characters Jerry and George propose a new show about nothing. With more disposable income and free time, it’s not surprising to see indulgences at many levels. The obsession by many with minutiae and ephemera is quite real and preoccupies much of our daily lives.

Retailers abound in new York City that cater to every whim, fancy, and serious interest imaginable. The native population and tourist traffic is large enough to support specialty merchants, of which I have featured many on this site: Barbie in Furs, The Evolution Store, Scrap Yard, Economy Candy, Agent Provocateur, You’re Not in Kansas, Ten Ren Tea, Eileen’s Cheesecake, Myers of Keswick, Zoomies, Murray’s Cheese, John Jovino Gun Shop, Pink Pussy Cat Boutique, Canal Rubber, Botanica, Kiehl’s, Pearl Paint, Pearl River Mart, Taschen, Matt Umanov, Bleecker Bobs, Peanut Butter & Co., Patel Brothers, The Strand, Seize sur Vingt, ABC, Mooshoes, Vilebrequin, and Girl Props.

The photo was taken in Fish’s Eddy (named after a small town upstate New York) on lower Fifth Avenue. The display of porcelain hand molds was very striking – I’ve never seen this many together. These molds are used for rubber glove manufacture – they are dipped in a liquid latex and removed. Once dried, the latex is stripped off, and voila – a latex glove. I read that these molds are quite common in antique shops and are used around the home as a decorative item. With a little imagination, I’m sure many uses can be found – the sign below them assures us that they are “handy for just about anything.” Or perhaps this is a display which sells things for nothing 🙂

I love this place – if you want the feeling of commerce with beehive activity, this is the place to go. Hustle and bustle, from busy to packed, B&H Photo Video sees over 10,000 customers per day. This is the country’s largest photo supplier – they have everything. But whether you are a photographer or not, it is a must-visit.

The store was founded by Herman Schreiber and his wife Blimie (hence B and H) on the Lower East Side in 1973. It relocated to 17th Street in the photo district, where it remained until 1997, when it expanded and moved to its current space at 34th Street and 9th Avenue. They occupy 70,000 square feet, not counting corporate offices nearby and a large Brooklyn warehouse.

Everything is a study in organization and good business management. After a purchase is made, goods are sent from a basement stockroom to the pickup area via overhead conveyers with green bins (see photo #3 here). The huge checkout area moves quickly, with dozens of clerks taking payment. Take a few final steps to product pickup, and voila, your items are already awaiting you!

Many retailers in NYC have become international icons, such as the Fifth Avenue gold coast retailers – Cartier, Tiffany, Saks, Bergdorf, and others, such as Macy’s. These stores all have a rich history, with many being founded in the mid-1800s. Their mythic proportions are made more indelible by the historic properties they inhabit in prime locations.

B&H Photo shares none of these attributes but has achieved iconic status in its own unique, New York way. Although large, the single location provides for the focus and expertise not typically found in a chain store. And B&H is no stranger to competitive pricing; they built their reputation on supplying professionals with equipment at rock-bottom prices. So the Internet has not thrown them – they aggressively market and sell online. There is ZERO pressure to buy – none of the salesman are on commission. The return policy is very generous.

Visiting here is also a cultural experience. B&H is staffed predominantly by orthodox Jews – bearded men with white shirts, black pants, many with payot (sidelock hair curls), and tzitzis (white cords hanging from the waist). For many visitors, the site of this entire spectacle serves as a good reminder that You’re Not in Kansas Anymore 🙂