Cameras Inc closing

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

Just got the news from Cameras Inc that they are closing all their locations, including the one in Davis Square which they initially thought they'd be able to keep open. Full story (mostly about the Arlington store).

Their email also included this:

Selling to the Bare Walls -- Everything Must Go!

We are selling everything to the bare walls.

All furniture, fixtures, and inventory is being sold on a "cash & carry" basis, including shelving, gondolas, albums, frames, supplies, signs, brackets, and just about everything imaginable from a store that has been in town for over 40 years!

COME IN AND MAKE US AN OFFER!

Comments

[ron_newman]

Probably inevitable, but still very sad.

The Davis Square store had another name before it became the second location of Cameras Inc., but I can't remember what that was anymore.

[ethanfield.livejournal.com]

Very sad - I always got great service at this place, film or digital. Here's the email text, which includes the actual Davis Branch closing date.

---------------------

Cameras Inc. Announces Store Closing April 18, 2012

Arlington, MA - After a 46 year presence in Arlington, Cameras Inc. will be closing its remaining stores in Arlington and Somerville. While we have kept pace with all the advances in digital technology, competing in a 24x7 world has become challenging for a service oriented business such as ours. We we are proud to have been among the few remaining independent photo stores in New England. A complete story of the closing can be found here.

Selling to the Bare Walls -- Everything Must Go!

We are selling everything to the bare walls.

All furniture, fixtures, and inventory is being sold on a "cash & carry" basis, including shelving, gondolas, albums, frames, supplies, signs, brackets, and just about everything imaginable from a store that has been in town for over 40 years!

COME IN AND MAKE US AN OFFER!

[fefie.livejournal.com]

This is sad news, though understandable.I used to be a frequent customer back in days of film, though I've rarely been in there in recent years. (Ron - I think "One Hour Photo" or a shop with a name like that was at that location prior to Cameras Inc moving in?)

It's really sad news on top of Farmer's Bounty departure.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

Oh the process of creative destruction in the economy.

[bostonartist.livejournal.com]

I agree with the "destruction" part of that statement. No more nice bookstores.. no more local photo stores. We are going to be left with Amazon & Walmart.

[ron_newman]

There's still Hunt's Photo in Melrose (with smaller stores in Harvard and Kenmore squares).

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

I was just about to come post this. Waah.

I've made a point of ordering all of my digital prints from them in recent years.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

ditto.

[djethan.livejournal.com]

I too am quite sad to see them go. I've had a ton of B&W film developed there and my wife occasionally had her Holga stuff developed and printed there. I got the impression a lot of the artistic community in and around Somerville used this place for their photo needs.

With that in mind, where will people be going to get film developed and/or printed?

[queenof-sarcasm.livejournal.com]

I'll be going back to ColorTek near South Station, where I used to get my film developed before moving to Davis Square.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

Damn. I liked their print processing the best of all the local places and they did a good job converting some of my old negatives to digital files. This makes me sad. :(

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

what a bummer. :( i used to take my old film camera to the cameras inc in arlington to get it fixed, and when i brought it in in a panic once because i was going on vacation in like two days and it was unexpectedly not working, they fixed it in time.

[ron_newman]

A sign on the door says:

WE ARE VERY SORRY
THAT WE WILL BE
CLOSING IN 2 WEEKS

WE WANT TO THANK
ALL OUR CUSTOMERS

WE WILL MISS
ALL OF YOU AND
DAVIS SQUARE!

FROM THE STAFF
DEBBIE, MINNA, ED
AND
CRYSTAL

IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT
HAVE PROCESSING HERE
PLEASE PICK UP THANKS

Another smaller sign next to it says

Around the twelveth
of April will keep you
informed

[derekp.livejournal.com]

Bummer.

They did a very nice job with prints. The quality of their prints was easily noticed when compared to other area printers (CVS, Rite Aid, or Ritz in the Galleria). These days we print photos only to display and its very much worth the extra dime or two to get a nice print.

I only ever bought one camera there, but I had a great experience. Staff was knowledgeable and they were open to bending some on price to compete (though not meet) the best, reputable online prices.

I'm going to miss Cameras Inc.

[aynatt.livejournal.com]

This totally sucks. Their prices were fantastic and I have been working closely with them for the SOS, coming up in May. Do you know whether they are still doing photo processing up until the 12th?

So few independently owned businesses anymore.

Does anyone know any other good photo processing places that are at least up to their caliber and are affordable?

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

I also wanted to echo what a bummer this is. We bought a few digital cameras there, and several lenses as well. Also referred friends to get their cameras there. It's sad to see well run, independent shops go.

[toddskaplan.livejournal.com]

Story on closing at:

http://www.yourarlington.com/business-news/4578-cameras-32612

Somerville closing was last minute decision according to article

Sorry to see them go.

[teko.livejournal.com]

When I visited the store yesterday, the employee there told me that they'd all known the store was scheduled to be closed for nearly three years, so it hasn't been a surprise to any of them.

If anyone's stopping in, all of the cameras and electronics have been taken to the Arlington location to be sold there. The Davis Sq location still has a decent amount of frames, photo albums, camera bags, and actual 35mm film at 40% off.