Two Village Merchants Embark on Collaboration

Karl Kantrowitz and George Berkeley heard opportunity knocking and opened the door to a joint enterprise. When Kantrowitz decided to close Village Camera, he and Berkeley talked. The two men, both experienced South Orange business owners, commiserated over the challenges of running a brick-and-mortar store.

Berkeley, who owns the UPS Store, recognized that, like his own, “Karl’s business is service-oriented.” The two have joined forces; Village Camera is now an “e-Business Portal” of the UPS Store.

Kantrowitz explains, “Customers can drop off anything they need done—whether film developing, enlargements, photo reproduction or restoration, equipment rentals, executive portraits, camera repairs, video transfers, or high-resolution scanning—and have it done. They can pick up the order when it’s finished. George’s hours are convenient for commuters, as well as people who are in town during the daytime.” 

The UPS Store also provides passport and identification photos, and customers, who are shopping for a camera or considering repair, can come into the store. Kantrowitz will continue to fulfill such needs as a consultant.

The two men see their business interests complementing one another. “We ship, we pack, we receive packages,” explains Berkeley. “We’re already here to do that, and Karl’s business fits in well with what we already do. He offers services that we need in South Orange.”

Kantrowitz owned and managed Village Camera at 77 South Orange Ave. for nearly 30 years, making the move a big one. He's relieved to have the labor behind him; on Friday afternoon, Berkeley tutored him on how to use the door and alarm system at the UPS Store at 4 South Orange Ave.

Kantrowitz caught on quickly, nodding with familiarity at the system. Already, it seems, theirs is a meeting of the minds and a shared sense of humor, which bodes well for a successful South Orange business collaboration.