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In the beginning, Madison Photo was nothing more than a studio run by Mr. Leon Hersch. In 1947, Madison Photo was transformed into a retail photography outlet by Mr. Murray Stein and Mr. James "Jim" Abramson. The store became well known as a center for artists and shutterbugs alike. They also had a sister store, the Camera Shop of Summit, in the nearby town of Summit. During the mid 1950's Mr. Stein passed away, leaving the stores in the charge of Jim cand their Summit manager, Art Goldsmith. Jim proceeded to sell the Summit store to Art, and transform Madison Photo into an amateur and professional stockhouse. Jim continued to own and manage Madison Photo through the late 1960's. During this time, Jim's health began to wane, and the store's day- to - day operations were handled by Mr. John Looker and Mr. Sid Sacks.
It was at this time that Jerry Harmen, then an undergraduate at nearby Drew University, began to work at Madison Photo. At about the same time, Sid departed the store in order to pursue other aspects of photography. Jim, John, and Jerry worked for the next four years building and improving Madison Photo. Unfortunately, in the fall of 1974, Jim suffered a major heart attack, and was forced to take an early retirement from the business. Jerry and his wife, Lynne, proceeded to buy the business from the Abramsons. (Some say Jerry was destined to own it, as he was born the same week that Madison Photo opened.) In the early summer of 1975, Jim succumbed to his final heart seizure, and passed away quickly and quietly.
Jerry, keeping the spirit of the business alive, continued to improve and build the store. In 1979, he was joined by Peggy Adams, who brought with her many years of retail and photography experience. In 1984, Jerry and his wife, Lynne, proceeded to buy what was now Art's Camera Shop in Summit, from none other than the same Art Goldsmith who had bought it almost 30 years prior. Rechristening it the Photo Summit, it was rejoined with Madison Photo after almost three decades. Peggy became manager of the Photo Summit, leaving Jerry in Madison. Peggy retired in 1990, and the Photo Summit is now managed by Michael Holohan.
In the summer of 1993, Madison Photo moved from its old location at 48 Main to its new expanded quarters just down the street at 40 Main. As part of the move, Madison Photo Shop ceased to exist, and Madison PhotoPlus was born. The store is still owned by Jerry and Lynne, and is managed by Rob Brodo. It continues to serve as the photographic authority of Madison and the surrounding area. It is fully stocked with all the latest in film, cameras, digital, frames, albums, and repairs. The store is now in its 59th year and going strong, a claim not many businesses can make. -JH
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