End of an Era Means the End for One Oklahoma City Business

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Technology is a blessing for many, but for one family, it means the end of an era.

Like the camera's at Peggy Pipkin's camera shop, her business will soon be a thing of the past.

"You know, retail is just very difficult to do as a specialty store," Peggy Pipkin said, Pipkin Cameras.

But few will argue that Pipkin Cameras on Classen Boulevard is more than just a specialty store.

For more than 50 years, it's been an Oklahoma City fixture for families who didn't dare trust anyone else with their memories.

Pipkin Cameras was opened in 1947 by Pipkin's father Bud Pipkin. Peggy Pipkin said the pride of the store has always been customer service, but that's been overshadowed by a need for instant gratification.

"It's just a sign of the times. Time to move on," Pipkin said.

The digital age has all but killed mom-and-pop places. Few need film developed anymore. Even photo albums are a thing of the past.

"The only problem with that is you know, kids when they grow up, you always, when you get older, you always talk about how nerdy you all looked or your siblings looked, and they won't have that anymore," Pipkin said.

Pipkin has run the business since her parents passed away, but she said the shop has run its course, so, she made the very difficult decision to close.

"This is definitely history of photography in Oklahoma City for sure. So, on that side of it, it's sad to see it go, but it's time," Pipkin said.

Many of the employees at Pipkin Cameras said they will stay in the photography business around Oklahoma City. As far as Pipkin, she said she's also sticking around, but she hasn't decided what she'll do next.

The final day for Pipkin Cameras is June 30. Until then the shop is having an 'everything must go' sale.