Eagle Photo closes the shutters

After nearly a century of providing personalized camera services to customers in Portsmouth, Eagle Photo Supply is closing its doors for good later this month. According to owner Cindy Williamson, the store will stop printing on Thursday, July 10, and close completely on Saturday, July 12.

Williamson’s grandfather opened Eagle Photo on Daniel Street in 1915. Her father and uncle took over the business in the mid-1950s and, in 1958, relocated to Congress Street. The store remained a landmark of Market Square until 2003, when Williamson relocated it to Plaza 800 on Islington Street.

The move provided more convenient parking for customers and exposed the store to shoppers at the nearby Hannaford and Blockbuster. But, with each passing year, Williamson has found it more and more difficult to compete with big box stores and digital technology that enables amateur photographers to print their photos from home.

“People are doing things a lot different nowadays,” Williamson said. “It’s not something that’s right or wrong or good or bad, it’s just how things have evolved.”

Eagle’s closure comes almost exactly a year after Hovey’s Camera Shop closed last summer. Located nearby on Islington Street, Hovey’s had existed in Portsmouth for more than 60 years. Other independent camera shops around the nation have faced a similar plight. “It’s been going on for several years now,” Williamson said.

Most major camera companies have begun funneling their products to a handful of dealers that only distribute to large chain stores, Williamson said. Many customers prefer to shop at box stores, where a wide range of products are available.
But Williamson still has loyal customers who are sad to lose the professional and knowledgeable staff at Eagle. Since news spread that the store was closing, some customers have even sent Williamson “thank you” cards for her years of helpful service.

“I have a huge customer base and they’re sorry to see me close,” she said.

Williamson is not entirely sure what her future holds, but she plans to take a well deserved break for a while. “I’m taking some time off, finally,” Williamson said. “It’s not a mid-life crisis but a chance to do something totally different.” 

fireworks on Fourth of July weekend

Portsmouth will celebrate the eve of Independence Day with a fireworks display over South Mill Pond at 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 3 (rain date Saturday, July 5). Parking will be restricted on a total of 23 streets on the day of the display, and the playground, baseball field and tennis and basketball courts by South Mill Pond will be closed by noon. The Dog Park will be closed on July 3 and will not reopen until 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4.

Vendors will offer food and drinks on the north side of Parrott Avenue on the evening of July 3, and the parking garage on Hanover Street will offer a flat fee of $3 for parking between 5 and 10 p.m. The Portsmouth Police Department reminds residents that personal fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in the city. For parking restrictions and other information about the fireworks, go to www.cityofportsmouth.com/july4.html.

In Dover, fireworks will be launched from Maglaras Park at 9:15 p.m. on Friday, July 4, in conjunction with the opening night of the Cocheco Arts Festival (rain date July 5).

Rochester will have fireworks at the Rochester Fair grounds after it gets dark on July 3. Hampton Beach will host a fireworks display at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4. York Harbor Reading Room will offer a fireworks display on York Harbor Beach in Maine at about 9 p.m. on July 5.