B&H Photo & Video

Profile

Stretching a full city block, this Hasidic-owned electronics emporium offers a huge stock of TVs, stereos, and photo equipment—often at cheaper prices than the typical electronics chain store. Green-vested, yarmulke-sporting salesmen coolly dispense product descriptions to foreign tourists amid a flashing sea of LCD screens, while overhead a system of conveyor belts and automated lifts trundles boxes of merchandise toward the checkout area. The main level holds the audiovisual department, while the second floor is dedicated to computer and photography equipment. The photographer’s tool kit is fully covered, from gaffer’s tape to light reflectors to anti-moisture packets for underwater cameras—and that’s just the beginning. External hard drives? Earbud microphones for recording phone conversations? Gold-plated opera glasses with flashlight handles? There’s a stunning array of electronics-related miscellany and a team of sales associates to help shoppers narrow down their options. Basement and upper-floor warehouses, as well as a facility in Williamsburg, supply the superstore and its booming online business. Used equipment is also available, and customers can bring in their old gear for trade-in or repair. — Alex Littlefield