A South LA business owner finds a second home in the Trojan family – Annenberg Media

The “Quik-Pix Digital Photo Lab” sign above the front door was cracked and peeling, faded to a vintage appearance. Akm Alam – the store’s owner – stood in the doorway, waving with both hands. Old Kodak batteries hung on the walls in yellowed plastic packaging, relics from another era.

“I’m so glad you found me!” he said, gesturing to the weathered storefront. “I was only supposed to be here for three years, so I didn’t spend too much on the sign.”

This was QuikPix’s new home, sandwiched between an AutoZone and a beauty supply shop, a ten-minute walk away from the University of Southern California’s University Park campus.

The Quik-Pix shelves are stocked with boxes of film and disposable cameras –now popular with students looking for a vintage photo aesthetic. (Photo courtesy by Olivia Corish)

Alam was the oldest tenant in the former University Village shopping center before USC ended his lease in 2014 to make way for the $700…

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