B&H has just announced that its NYC SuperStore will be closed from 3/16 through 3/28 due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. However, the online platform will continue to be fully operational. Read below the note from B&H CEO. 

New York’s SuperStore will be closed

Some times can be used as an accurate indication of the situation’s severity. That is a good reference for the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on the filmmaking industry. The Mecca of the video-gear store, located at Manhatten, is now being closed because of the pandemic. As stated by CEO, Menashe Horowitz: “B&H has always been made special by people – our employees and our customers — and the relationships we have built over 47 years. With the spread of this pandemic, we want you to know that there is no higher priority for us than the safety of our team and community. As a result, we’ve decided to temporarily close the B&H New York City SuperStore from Monday, March 16th through Saturday, March 28th. Our main focus is to keep you and every member of our team feeling safe, healthy, and supported during these difficult times”.

Online-store: As usual

The online store will continue to be operated as usual. According to B&H: “Our online and telephone channels, as well as store pickup of online orders, remain open for business as usual, which will continue as long as we can do so safely. Our sales and customer service teams are available to answer your questions via phone, email, or chat (though likely they will be working from home)”. Go here for the online store.

Coronavirus and the filmmaking industry

COVID-19 has started to affect our industry significantly. Cancellation of tons of TV shows and projects (check out Ethan Embry tweet below), as well as the cancellation of one of industry mains events (NAB Show 2020), constitute as a pointer to the severity of the pandemic.

The entertainment industry shut down today. It’s not just a shocking number of jobs from the men and women on the crews, it’s also all the business that were built to support the entertainment industry. It’s hundreds of thousands of people no doubt. All laid off in one night.

— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) March 14, 2020

Furthermore, delays of products (mainly new releases of cameras) are reported due to employees that are working from home and factories being closed. Let’s hope that the Coronavirus will be defeated soon, and our industry will continue its sprint. Nevertheless, this is a great time to discover your creativity and do art because the world needs it, especially now.