FAIRFIELD, N.J., July 24, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Alexander Sweetwood, President of Unique Photo, New Jersey's largest retail camera store and center for photography education, has been distinguished as a "Next Gen" to watch by Family Business Magazine. The people spotlighted by the magazine have gone way beyond earning credibility. The up-and-coming leaders—all under age 35--are bringing their families and businesses into the future.
Alexander Sweetwood became the third generation to lead Unique Photo when he was named President in 2015. He earned his BS in Business Administration and Finance and MBA from Montclair State University while continuously working in the business. His earliest memories, however, are as a child playing on the conveyer belts and building towering cardboard forts in the warehouse when he went to work with his parents.
"This is an honor for me and my family," said 33-year-old Sweetwood. "I grew up in this business and knowing that my grandfather started Unique Photo is a tremendous source of pride and responsibility that drives me every day."
At a time when online retailers and cell phone camera technology is forcing the closure of other photo stores across the U.S., Unique Photo is thriving and plans to open a third location in Philadelphia later this year. Alexander is overseeing this expansion. The new Philadelphia store will be comparable in size to the 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Fairfield superstore. Unique Photo also has a smaller location in Hoboken.
According to Alexander's father and CEO Jonathan Sweetwood, Alexander has been the driving force behind the business over the last five years. He championed the company's expansion into new service offerings. "Four or five years ago, we were essentially only selling goods. He has since moved us into the service business, where we're now doing custom framing, printing, and we're an authorized Apple repair center. Our business has grown significantly because of it."
Unique Photo was founded 72 years ago by Bernard Sweetwood, Alexander's grandfather and the son of Russian immigrants, who was driven by a lifelong passion for photography and the American Dream. He began as a portrait photographer but quickly set his sights on building a bigger business. He opened a wholesale photographic supply store that would take them from humble beginnings in Brooklyn, N.Y., to one of the most successful wholesale and retail businesses of its kind.
Unique Photo's blend of size and customer service has proved to be a winning combination. Large enough to sell globally and compete with massive online retailers, yet small enough to offer the exceptional customer service of an independent camera store, Unique Photo is a thriving, multimillion-dollar business. Unique Photo carries over 20,000 products from leading manufacturers--everything from digital cameras and their accessories, lenses and lighting--to a full line of services including repairs, rentals and trade-ins, along with a bustling photo lab providing custom printing, framing and gifts. "Unique University" offers photography education that ranges from one-on-one training to seminars for professionals and photography enthusiasts alike. Photo excursions combine travel with photography education and bring participants to unique destinations all over the world.
ABOUT UNIQUE PHOTO
Unique Photo is New Jersey's largest camera and video superstore offering the latest in photographic products and imaging technology. Its 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Fairfield, N.J. features a spacious photography retail store, multi-media learning center, professional photo lab, meeting space, gourmet coffee bar and WiFi lounge. Unique Photo is also the top destination for photography education in New Jersey, hosting more than 1,000 amateur and professional photographers monthly for its classes. "Unique University" instructors include world famous photographers, industry guest lecturers and Unique Photo's professional staff. For more information, visit http://www.uniquephoto.com or call 973-377-2007.
SOURCE Unique Photo
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