Anyone who cares about Tamarkin's existence would be surprised to find out that on March 4th, Stan is putting his cool boutique store at 215 Park Avenue South (18th Street) on the 19th floor along with his 5 guys.

I heard via gossip that Stan had a "fight" with the Leica Gallery dudes about the hike in rent on the Broadway location. It's rather sad that Tamarkin's and Leica Gallery had to separate but it gives one an excuse for travelling to Lower Midtown.

Well I guess that it's time to hype a trip over there in a few months after the Tamarkin guys settle in. Hopefully they can chuck up a larger store.

-- Alfie Wang (leica_phile@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002

Answers

Gee, Tamarkin's prices were already too high on South Broadway. Park Avenue?

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), February 10, 2002.

Gee, Tamarkin's prices were already too high on South Broadway. Park Avenue?

Actually 18th and Park Ave is just off Union Square, which isn't more ritzy than their current location. But I agree, their prices aren't cheap.

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), February 10, 2002.

It is interesting Tamarkin is moving after all the renovations they suffered through in their present location. For a long time you had to enter through the service elevator.

-- Bob Haight (rhaigh5748@aol.com), February 10, 2002.

Frankly, I've shifted all my Leica business elsewhere, & I don't care where they move. I was a faithful Tamarkin customer, both buying & selling, for well over a decade. But the attitude there has changed. Salemen sound bored; there's no creativity or constructive suggestions; and prices are too damn high.

'Don't know what's happened w/ Stan. When service is extraordinary, I rationalize extraordinary prices; but when service (& attitude) goes south, I lose interest quickly... Anyone know what may have changed there?

-- Patrick (pg@patrickgarner.com), February 10, 2002.

The way certain people talk you would think that Tamarkin is the greatest thing since sliced bread. True, they offer a nice selection of goods but their prices are high. I know because I purchased my M6, black leather case, and a 90mm Elmarit M there a few years ago. All were purchased new.I still visit there from time to time but now purchase any equipment I "need" elsewhere. I can just imagine how a Park Avenue location will affect their pricing.Sometimes a "fight" is a bad thing!

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), February 15, 2002.