Ritz Camera NA to close 300 stores, liquidation to start April 4, 2009

eclipsed450 · 04-03-2009, 07:34 AM

Ritz Camera to Close More than 300 Stores Nationwide; Store Closing Sales Scheduled to Begin April 4

pdk attachment in link for list of stores that are closing...

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ritz Camera Centers, Inc., the nation’s largest specialty camera and image products and accessories retailer, announced today that it will close more than 300 stores nationwide as part of a court-supervised bankruptcy reorganization. The move will leave approximately 400 Ritz Camera stores still open around the country.

Retail inventory valued at more than $50 million will be liquidated at the stores that are being closed. Store closing sales offering substantial discounts on all inventory at those locations will begin on Saturday, April 4, and are expected to continue until everything is sold to the bare walls.

Venturi · 04-03-2009, 09:09 AM

Closing both locations here

Code:

Wolf Camera Country Club Plaza Country Club Plaza 3372 E 51St St Tulsa OK 74135-0000
Wolf Camera Utica Square 2020 South Lewis Tulsa OK 74104-5757

I'm not a big fan of Wolf/Ritz; but they were about the only place in town stocking Ilford and Fuji.

**Damn Brit** · 04-03-2009, 09:59 AM

It's a shame for all the employees losing their jobs.
Wheatfield, if your reading this, what would be a good price for one of their print finishing machines?

*deadwolfbones* · 04-03-2009, 11:21 AM

Too bad there are none near me.

*graphicgr8s* · 04-03-2009, 11:26 AM

They're closing all the ones around me. Even the new one that opened less than a year ago in an upscale area. Better go check them out tonight.

*reeftool* · 04-03-2009, 11:31 AM

They already had closed many stores across NY State in January and they aren't on the list so the total closings are much more than 300. The store in Saratoga was a good shop with some good folks put out of work.

Jester_rm · 04-03-2009, 12:05 PM

well, there goes the only actual camera store I know of left within about 100 miles of me (central Oregon). When I moved here there were at least two independents, but I belive both of them are out of business now.

**Buddha Jones** · 04-03-2009, 04:59 PM

It would seem that the one near me closed already. I just called them to get some information and no one is answering, not even a voice mail recording.

eclipsed450 · 04-03-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Buddha Jones

It would seem that the one near me closed already. I just called them to get some information and no one is answering, not even a voice mail recording.

there was one at a mall here that closed a couple months ago...with half a dozen in the surrounding area, they opted not to renew their lease when their rent was raised...it sux big time that they're closing stores, but there are plenty in the area, and online is always an option...hopefully i can get a good deal on something

*Blue* · 04-04-2009, 12:49 PM

There are 2 here in Tallahassee in each of the 2 Malls. 1 is closing is closing in a mall that has had about 65 shops pull out of it in the past year. The place is imploding. The best of the 2 is closing, but the one that is remaining open never carried any Pentax and the one that closed had 1 K200d in the past year.

*monochrome* · 04-04-2009, 03:31 PM

Closing all 11 St. Louis area Fox Photo / Wolf Camera / Ritz Camera locations - that leaves Creve Couer Camera with their 9 locations and a bevy of independents still with us.

A few of the malls in St Louis are self-destructing - one has lost all 4 anchors and the interior is more plywood than glass. Galleria (about 20 years old) is 65% vacant - 18 months ago this place was jammed. I think those are the ones owned by over-leveraged Real Estate Investment Trusts.

There are two malls - both more modest than mega and located near established upper middle income neighborhoods - where you literally cannot get a parking place on Saturdays.

Strangely, locals are staying afloat and actually expanding in many retail segments. Creve Couer Camera (9 stores, all stocking most of the Pentax line - really, all the bodies and most of the lenses) won this round and Schiller's Photo was PACKED - I mean, I could hardly GET to the counter to buy film - this afternoon.

What, recession? Not seeing it in my neighborhood.

MRRiley · 04-04-2009, 04:13 PM

I was surprised but the one in Reston, VA where my daughter used to work is staying open. So it's not full blown GOB fire-sale yet. Perhaps we will see a leaner and meaner and better Ritz come out the other side. Who knows, maybe they will become the camera store they could have been before they expanded into markets that could not bear them.

Sucks for all of the employees for sure though. Those guys don't make much as it is but some is better than none. Now they won't even have that.

Mike

*geauxpez* · 04-04-2009, 08:30 PM

10% off today. Still more expensive than B&H.

*Ratmagiclady* · 04-06-2009, 04:40 PM

Hrm, looks like the one here's still staying open. I suppose that's good.... I kind of find myself hoping they'll be better-stocked if other stores are closed down.

swensonorama · 04-07-2009, 11:39 AM

i happened to stop in the one in Newington (Portsmouth), NH on sunday after taking my little girl to see the Easter Bunny (parked right outside the store). no mention of GOB, tho. in the last 2 yrs. we've lost the area 3 independent shops (one i got $500 retail worth of Tiffen filters for $40!). i either have to go to Portland, ME, Manchester, NH or Boston to get to a real shop (none of which is less than a 40 min. drive)

the internet is killing these shops- people go in a brick-n-morter to fondle the equipment, get info, and then go buy online for 10-20% less. it's sad