Idaho Camera in Boise has been owned and operated by three generations of the same family for 74 years, but with COVID-19 halting business and a drop in revenue, the shop must close its doors.
The current owner, Dennis Nagel, and his brother took over their father's business that opened in Downtown Boise in 1946.
The business has seen many different employees over the years, most of them being family members.
"My sisters worked here. My nieces and nephews worked here. Both of my kids have worked here. Just about everybody in the family has worked here," Nagel says.
According to Nagel, the business has been complicated because of a change in cameras' demand and the market.
"The photographic retail business has changed dramatically with technology, cell phones, the internet. All of these things have made it very difficult, and we've been working through it, trying to adapt the best we can," Nagel says.
Nagel says he's proud of what he, his family, and Idaho Camera employees have accomplished throughout their time being open.
"Its an end of an era, so it's really sad," Nagel says. "Every business has a life, and we need to move forward."
The outpouring of love from the community has been incredible, says Nagel, and he can't thank everyone enough.
Thursday is the last day Idaho camera will be open, and customers can find discounts on much of the store's stock for its final opening.
