Calumet Photo Bankruptcy

Apparently Calumet Photo has filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy and shuttered their doors today from what I was told by a friend. Their website no longer loads up either http://www.calumetphot​o.com/ .

UK site working OK at the moment

Yes saw this in financial news today I was at the Chicago location 2 days ago and it was busness as usual. I guess it was a secret, I bet the employees didn't know either.

I used to work there, until recently. A friend of mine that was still there just texted me and said management sent out emails telling them not to come in, that they filed Chapter 7. I feel bad for some of the people that were still there. I got out just in time as I could feel that place going way down hill. The morale was terrible and everyone was stressed out. DEFINITELY not an enjoyable place to work. They focused on selling the most absurd things and would NOT listen to their employees. That's what you get for hiring Ritz Camera execs to take over a photo business, considering they have no clue about the industry. There's a reason they filed bankruptcy as well, not to mention how drastically the industry changed.

I hate to see any "independent" camera store owner go out of business. While the mail order businesses often times are able to sell items for less (no sales tax) the offset in being able to talk to a knowledgeable sales person far outweighs the savings.

Living in the south we had Wolf Camera, who was later bought by Ritz...No comparison.

Looks like the mail order retailers are starting to win the battle.

I was literally in the Oak Brook store on Monday. It was a fantastic experience.

So sad...

Wow, I just received an email about 18 months no interest financing with the Calumet card. Gonna check if my local location is shut down.

https://www.facebook.c​om …c/posts/1015202​6512243785

This is weird and sad at the same time. Although they didn't have the best prices on stuff, I always liked going into the actual brick and mortar store.

www.photobusinessforum​.com/images/calumetpho​to_case_14-08908.pdf

wow. I go to the Santa Ana store quite regularly. Always found it had better service than Sammys that is near by. Bummer, I prefer B&M stores over online for better service.

Just saw the Trib article.
http://www.chicagotrib​une.com …s-20140313,0,868130.stor​y

I was always checking back for sales on their strobes. I already drive past shuttered Wolf Camera locations every day - had no idea Calumet was in this kind of shape.

That really surprises me as I always got great service at the store in Oak Brook. They will be missed.

Sad to see a company that's been around that long go. The location near me used to be good, but it started to become less "personal" than the business it acquired and more "get in, get out" style. I'm going to be in the same boat as many now, having access only to the online stores, maybe a trip up to B&H in the future once I'm comfortable enough getting around NYC.

I'm guessing that's the advantage places like B&H and Adorama have in that their single locations come with less overhead and can treat their employees better than a business with hundreds, if not thousands of locations.

TimboBaggins wrote in post #16755358
....That's what you get for hiring Ritz Camera execs to take over a photo business, considering they have no clue about the industry......

Exactly!