Business columnist lauds Illinois camera stores as successful competitors

Business columnist Jim Kendall recently featured two camera stores in an article about independent retailers competing with large-scale and online retailers. In the feature article, “How the little guys beat the big guys,” Kendall tells the story of LaGrange Camera Inc. and PJ’s Camera & Photo Supply in Glen Ellyn, Ill.

“They’re scattered around the suburbs, a relative handful of independent camera stores that successfully compete against web giants and big box retailers typically offering a lower price, free shipping and, sometimes, no sales tax,” writes Kendall. “It’s what those competitors often don’t offer — personal service — that can make the difference. In that context, LaGrange Camera Inc. and PJ’s Camera & Photo Supply in Glen Ellyn serve nicely as stand-ins for nearly every small business doing battle with the big guys.”

The key to the longevity of both businesses – each with four decades of service – is hands-on service, keeping up with trends and local attention. Both companies also stressed the importance of preserving memories and printing photos.