For more than four decades, John Eoff has stood behind the counter at the Photo-Lab in Schenectady. His job? Helping customers with whatever they need when it comes to photography.

“Somebody might look at this as a treasure,” said Eoff, checking out an old product he found in the back. “Somebody might look at this as a piece of junk, but to me it’s just part of history.”

There’s no shortage of history here. The shop has been part of downtown for 107 years. Eoff’s great grandfather opened it in 1914 after leaving General Electric, and the business has remained in the family ever since.

“Ansco was in Binghamton, New York, and competed with Kodak. Matter of fact, there were lawsuits back and forth all the time,” said Eoff.

He grew up helping out here, but never intended to stay past college. After graduating with a master’s degree in fine arts, Eoff struggled to find a teaching job. So he returned to the family business and has never left.

“Meeting all the people, and it was exciting, all the technology,” Eoff said. “I just loved the technology, and I just loved the fact that it was an artistic thing, photography.”

He’s made a lot of memories here during his 44-year career. But all that will be coming to an end. Earlier this fall, Eoff decided to close the century old business.

Eoff says he decided to retire after building issues continue to linger; a broken heater and leaky roofs. At first he considered moving, but settled for calling it a career as his best option.

“Someday it would have to come to an end, and I wouldn’t be able to do it for that much longer anyway, so today’s the day, this is the time,” Eoff said.

The final day will be November 30.

As business begins to wind down for good, Eoff is selling whatever is left. The 69-year-old will keep a few things for himself in retirement. These final weeks have been tough, but he is appreciative of all the kind gestures, like customers calling to thank him for his work over the years.

“So touching to me,” Eoff said. “I’m going to save them all. Hopefully I’ll get some time in retirement to respond to everybody.”