Jools has worked for Ritz Camera for five years. Unfortunately, Ritz is bankrupt, having fallen victim to the moribund economy, and is closing 400 stores across the nation, most of them in shopping malls. The Ritz store at Paddock Mall in Ocala will shut down at the end of May.
Jools, however, has been in the photography business for 40 plus years, doing just about every kind of photography, but specializing in models and portraits. He will return to that business when Ritz closes its doors.
20 comments:
A shame that a nice shop like this has to close.
This closing store thing is so depressing!!!
ohhh. . .
i want one of those camera for improving picture quality on my blog, but i don't have enough money :(
Great Post Jacob!
This store is very important for us that love photography!
Léia
Kind of makes you wonder if anything will survive.
A shame to see these signs. More and lore places are closing, if this doesn't get fixed soon, what will be left?
I am really enjoying these portraits, but this is depressing! I'm glad he has something to fall back on at least.
The global crisis is hitting everyone all around the wolrd... Nice post !
So far, one of our local Ritz Camera stores will remain open. In addition to the economic downturn, camera stores are struggling to generate revenue when so many people print their own photos and/or maintain virtual photo archives. Additionally, looking and getting information is free. Customers go to camera stores, draw on the expertise of the employees and then run home and purchase off of Amazon. Brick and mortar retail is in a huge time of transition. It will take the youthful mind of a teenager to have the vision to move retail in the direction of profit. Just a bit of Sunday morning thinking out loud brought about by your thought-provoking photo.
@ Greensboro - You are so right. Although I think this store did fairly well in Ocala...and the staff provided excellent advice. It is, I believe, a victim of the overall financial health of the company. And Ritz sells online, too, for whatever that's worth.
This gallery of portraits and related stories is fascinating. I'm sorry for Jools and I hope he'll be fine anyway. Good shots and story.
That is so sad! Are you buying anything from his shop?
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joy
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@ Joy - I have purchased things there in the past and will do so again before the close.
Good luck to Jools.
Sorry to see another business go under. I hope Jools can use his 40 years of experience to "make lemonade" from his "lemons."
good luck Jools. Trouble times are all round us but I'm not into the consumer society very much so life goes on...Julia newcastle au
Disagreeable to hear that so many camra-shops must close, in Germany too.
It's sad.
The most sad part is access to those knowledge like he has and can offer to the customer which cannot get from internet shop.
A very nice group of portraits .
People seem to be working with a smile in your corner of the world!!
These store closings are very sad...
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