When longtime Feasterville resident Nick Pacitti and his wife, Carol, started their photo processing and camera accessory business, Best Photo, back in the mid 1980s, neither could have foreseen the devastating impact that COVID-19 would have on so many people at so many levels.
“The pandemic has definitely taken its toll from both an emotional and economic standpoint over the last year and a half,” admits Nick. “But thanks to some financial assistance from the government and the unwavering loyalty of my many customers, we’re finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.”
You could call Best Photo a quintessential American success story in which hard work, perseverance and adapting to change has seen business owners Nick and Carol Pacitti through many a tough time.
The only child of Italian immigrants, Nick, who initially spoke no English, emigrated with his parents from Abruzzi, an agricultural region situated some two hours northeast of Naples along the Adriatic coast, to the United States in the early 1960s.
He and his family initially settled in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia, before eventually moving to Bucks County. The rest, as they say, is history.
At one point, the Pacittis had three storefront locations in South Jersey, all of which did a brisk daily business from dawn till dusk for many years.
“We had people bringing us film to be developed from birthdays, weddings, anniversary parties, vacations and any other occasion you could think of,” recalls Nick. And Carol adds that it wasn’t unusual to process hundreds of rolls a day during special holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Fourth of July.
To be sure, much has changed over the years, what with the immediacy of digital photography upstaging film as the medium of choice for millions of all ages, not to mention the abundance of mobile devices, allowing anyone to take photos and instantly e mail them to anywhere in the world.
Ever evolving advances in photography and other technologies, coupled with recent coronavirus related uncertainties, compelled Pacitti to rethink his business model, lest he fall victim to volatile economic times.
“It’s always important to keep your finger on the pulse of changing trends and make any necessary adjustments, but most of all, you need to trust your gut instincts and follow your passion,” he advises.
Indeed, while many businesses have gone belly up in recent months, Pacitti has kept Best Photo afloat by building business in related areas, offering what he calls a custom “boutique” photo service from his Bucks County home.
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