Local Camera Store Closing
Jan 4, 2012 17:21:13 #
For anyone in the Washington, DC area that hasn't heard, Penn Camera has filed Chapter 11 and is closing.
http://www.penncameras.com/message.html
http://www.penncameras.com/message.html
Jan 4, 2012 19:17:19 #
Sad, a sign of our times, in my area there used to be five, only one left and the owner told me he don't know how long he can stay open.
Jan 5, 2012 05:42:54 #
I've been using Penn since I started photogrphy in 1966. Always great people and had what I needed when I needed it.
Jan 5, 2012 08:27:04 #
Hold it! How can that be?? I've depended on Penn to help me with all sorts of questions I've had over the years. Now where are we supposed to go to get help/advice in the Washington, DC area?
Jan 5, 2012 08:56:40 #
runnerman wrote:
Hold it! How can that be?? I've depended on Penn to help me with all sorts of questions I've had over the years. Now where are we supposed to go to get help/advice in the Washington, DC area?
As far as I know, it only leaves big boxes and Ritz for purchases & prints, and Strauss for repairs. I don't mind my local Ritz for prints, but prefer a wider selection of gear - guess I'll do more online.
Jan 5, 2012 08:57:59 #
Wonder if that is the same Penn Camera that was on Penn Ave in Pittsburgh in the 50's? One of my first photo shop haunts.
Jan 5, 2012 09:13:40 #
Al FR-153 wrote:
Wonder if that is the same Penn Camera that was on Penn Ave in Pittsburgh in the 50's? One of my first photo shop haunts.
I don't think so. The name came from Penn Quarter, in NE DC, where they started (1953). They have (had) eight stores in the DC metro area.
Jan 5, 2012 11:04:37 #
runnerman wrote:
Hold it! How can that be?? I've depended on Penn to help me with all sorts of questions I've had over the years. Now where are we supposed to go to get help/advice in the Washington, DC area?
Congress! :thumbup:
Jan 5, 2012 11:08:31 #
I guess I'm super lucky, I stopped by our local camera shop and they have expanded and taken more retail space.
I love them there, if they don't have something in stock they will order it for you, are more than helpful when I have questions (even dumb ones) and when I was thinking about upgrading talked me out of spending $1,000+ on a new body and spending $100 on classes instead. Customer for life!
I love them there, if they don't have something in stock they will order it for you, are more than helpful when I have questions (even dumb ones) and when I was thinking about upgrading talked me out of spending $1,000+ on a new body and spending $100 on classes instead. Customer for life!
Jan 5, 2012 16:45:21 #
May I suggest Service Photo Supply in Baltimore. You can buy on line or visit their store on Falls Road. They are great folks and carry a variety of products
Jan 5, 2012 17:23:26 #
ebaribeault wrote:
May I suggest Service Photo Supply in Baltimore. You can buy on line or visit their store on Falls Road. They are great folks and carry a variety of products
It's a bit of a haul from Waldorf, but I'll check it out. Thanks.
Jan 5, 2012 17:37:58 #
Unfortunately, every online purchase hurts the local store. Every local purchase hurts our own bottom line. We have to strike a happy medium.
When local stores become nothing more than a place to "touch and feel" and get help with problems, the next step is closure.
When local stores become nothing more than a place to "touch and feel" and get help with problems, the next step is closure.
Jan 6, 2012 05:43:36 #
Jan 6, 2012 13:24:52 #
I always try to buy localy but when I went to my local camera store to order a new post for a Slik tripod the owner told me he'd never heard of them and thought it was a k-mart brand.
I'm afraid I do all of my business online now...
I'm afraid I do all of my business online now...
Jan 6, 2012 13:52:57 #
I purchased both my and my son's D40s and lenses, a used 35-80mm zoom for a film body, my flash, tripod and ball head, two cases, film, filters, and what seems like a ton of RC and fiber paper from them.
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