Porter's Camera in Iowa closed

[GRHazelton]

Sad news. I've bought a fair amount of film and gear from these good folks over the years. A visit to their site tells the tale: http://www.porters.com/ As they say, support your local camera store...if you still have one, that is.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

One can agree or disagree with the point of view, but it's hard to argue the honesty and sincerity contained in that farewell piece.

Ken

 

[Sal Santamaura]

One can agree or disagree with the point of view...

I was unable to find a single word to disagree with. It is difficult to imagine anyone visiting APUG who wouldn't understand and agree with it, at least those old enough to have seen it happen.

 

[BrianShaw]

Now film is one step closer to being dead. Boo hoo.

 

[pbromaghin]

It's not a film lament. It's a small, local business lament.

 

[Vonder]

As an Iowan, and a Porter's customer, I have read a different point of view. Porter's closed because it was sold to an organization which did not have photography as one of its core interests. They made the decision to close, not the longtime, hardworking Porter's employees. We have now two camera stores in Eastern Iowa, University Camera in Iowa City and Photo Pro in Cedar Rapids. Both offer good service. Photo Pro has little interest in film but their photo finishing is good. University Camera is a bizarre entity which mainly sells film, cameras, and bags.

I enjoy and patronize both stores and will continue to do so.

 

[benjiboy]

Camera stores have ceased trading by their tens of thousands Worldwide since the advent of digital photography and the internet, photographic equipment is now sold on line largely from warehouses on industrial estates where they pay relatively low rents and they don't need to employ expensive knowledgeable staff to demonstrate the equipment, just pickers and packers to locate and despatch the goods.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Hate to see Ma & Pa stores going out of busine.

Jeff

 

[nyoung]

Never was in the store but their catalog was my go to source for gadgets and gizmos I could find no place else. They'll be missed.

 

[mikebarger]

Business models have to change with changing consumer buying habits. True for camera stores, hardware stores, five and dimes, craft shops, dress makers, whatever...It is sad for those working in stores that cannot find a niche allowing them to stay viable, the employees generally have no control concerning their future.

 

[chip j]

The wealth of items the old camera stores had is, I think, gone for good.

 

[removed account4]

they actually closed feb 28 2013

i don't think porters closed because the store was sold a few years ago ..
people's buying habits are different than they used to be ..
there are a few small photo shops near me but i can't afford to buy from them
( 65$ shipped vs 100$ ) if i were rich, maybe, but i'm not rich ...

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Porter's had a mail order catalogue for years before the internet, and they sold many unique items. It seems they should have made the transition to e-commerce more easily than your typical local camera store. Unfortunate that they didn't manage it.