B&H Expanding Its Physical Footprint

[logan2z]

I missed this when it made the local NYC news last month...

B&H Photo Buys Former Sam Ash Space and Office Building at Discount

Photography giant B&H is expanding its footprint at the corner of Hell’s Kitchen with the $150 million purchase of 333 W34th Street — a 10-story office building whose retail space was most recently home to Sam Ash Music. The acquisition was at a major discount, which has become typical in recent...

w42st.com

 

[Arthurwg]

Yes, retail space and other commercial property in NYC is selling at a deep discount, maybe 30%. But it's difficult to imagine a bigger B&H. And BTW, no one knows what they gross, it's all private. Some put it at over $1 billion annually. I can bet they know what they are doing.

 

[mshchem]

Don't know, maybe this is a good thing??

 

[runswithsizzers]

Bold move in today's economic climate. I am guessing a significantly large number of the items B&H sells are made in China(?) Current ongoing events may or may not make Chinese manufactured goods more expensive or less available(?)

{Moderator's note - need to restrain the political content - as it isn't in accord with Photrio rules}

 

[GregY]

Bold move in today's economic climate. I am guessing a significantly large number of the items B&H sells are made in China(?) Current ongoing events may or may not make Chinese manufactured goods more expensive or less available(?) ******

Commercial real estate in a downturn is a good investment..particularly when the location fits..non?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Don't know, maybe this is a good thing??

With Calumet gone,yes.

 

[mtnbkr]

I suspect they have the business to support this. I've been to their site in NYC twice and it was busy both times. That said, they sell a lot of products beyond photography. I've purchased a number of non-photographic printers as well as rifle scopes from them. Nice thing...their shipping rivals Amazon to my home here in VA. Pricing is competitive as well.

Chris

 

[Tel]

I’ve come to like B&H; they’ve consistently supported film shooting by stocking the films and chemistry I needed and with their programming in the event space. Whenever I’m in the city I go there, if only to go to the used-camera desk and drool.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use B&H and even got their credit card for large purchases recently. It is nice to see a camera store expanding these days.

 

[retina_restoration]

It is nice to see a camera store expanding these days.

Agreed. Good for them.

 

[Arthurwg]

Now I'm wondering what happened to Sam Ash, another New York institution.

 

[GregY]

Now I'm wondering what happened to Sam Ash, another New York institution.

Apparently they filed for bankruptcy last year. All the physical locations closed. Gohner Music from Mexico bought the company and operates as online sales only.

 

[Milpool]

Now I'm wondering what happened to Sam Ash, another New York institution.

Closed last year https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/03/business/sam-ash-music-closing-stores.html

 

[Franswa]

Maybe they’re coming out with their own line of film stock