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29
Jan 2022
'We've seen it all': Harrogate shop employees look back on 15 years in photo shop
After 15 years working together at photo shop Max Spielmann in Harrogate, Alex Hope and Marisa Towler are two of the best known faces in the town centre.
As soon as you step into the shop on Oxford Street, it's clear why the two are so highly thought of in the town. Beaming with smiles, the pair can't wait to help and chat with anyone that comes in.
Alex and Marisa have worked at the store for 15 and 19 years respectively, an anomaly in the retail world where many people choose to move on rapidly. They say they couldn't imagine doing another job.
'We've seen it all'
After years in the same shop, the pair have shared every key moment in people's lives, from printing baby photos, to school photos, to even wedding photos for the same families.
They say it is a "pleasure" to be trusted with recording people's memories but said sometimes they can be a little "wild".
Alex said:
Since Alex and Marisa started working together, technology has really advanced. From printing camera film to huge canvas prints, the pair have had to move with the times.
Marisa said:
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'Customers become an extended family'
Alex and Marisa have built bonds with customers, especially regulars. Over lockdown they said it was really difficult not knowing how some people were doing.
They said attitudes have definitely changed: some became more withdrawn after so long indoors whereas others couldn't wait to be out again.
Some of the gifts collected at Christmas.
Alex added:
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