I'm starting a worker-owned collective

[druidity33]

in Western Massachusetts. I have been working for Ritz Camera for 8 years or so as a Lab technician. They are in Bankruptcy Court, liquidating half of their 900 or so stores, and i'm out of a job. We've had customers cry in store about how angry and sad they will be to see us close shop. Photofinishers are DYING... and in our case it's not for lack of business (we met and exceeded our sales goals 10 months out of 12 last year). Many reasons for this, selling cameras and poor management are the main ones at Ritz. Now there is only one place within 45 miles of my home that will even accept film, and they send out. Aside from colleges, no darkrooms anywhere anymore.

I'm thinking a worker owned collectively run photo lab. Color film and prints (up to 10x15" with the Fuji Frontier 370) on site, and depending on interest and space, perhaps B&W film processor as well. A Poster printer and Dry Mount Press. No frames, no albums, minimal packaging, no camera sales, EXCELLENT prices, good website, professional and retail services, etc.




Anyone know any kick-ass website designers interested in Photography, living in Western Massachusetts?



On background, i'm 38, have a wife and kid and a BA in Photography. For years i've been enjoying the calendar contests here at DU, but not been posting to this group (i lurk a little though ;))... mostly because i spend as little time as possible working on my computer when i don't need to be in front of it. I use DU for access to the News. No television, but we've got satellite internet (which absolutely sucks... unless it's the only way, i highly discourage its use).







It's a new age dawning. New business models are needed. Collectives and Cooperatives are where it's at!


Cheers all.

[regnaD kciN]

1. While I don't want to throw cold water on your idea...

...I'm not sure the Frontier 370 approach is the best way to go on this. That machine is available in virtually every Costco in the country, and, in this area, lots of other venues such as Walgreens, Bartells, Fred Meyer, and even (ick!) Wal*Mart. Each of those offers prints at up to 10x15 for bargain-basement prices. For digital shooters, you can even upload to most of those places and pick up your prints an hour later, for virtually pennies. If you go that way, you're going to basically have to meet them in price (difficult, since they have the advantage of volume) plus out-advertise them and convince them to use your service instead of doing business at a familiar chain they were probably already going to visit for other shopping needs.

While I'm not an expert in that particular service, it seems to me that similar labs that are doing well out here are those that are going after a more high-end product (larger prints and more custom handling of images) for higher-end prices. In other words, going after a niche rather than mass market. But YMMV, of course.

[druidity33]

2. well

Let me just say that that there is a tremendous difference between what the machine can do and what WalFart does with it. Also, it is precisely because there are so many of them around that i may be able to afford a startup... so, though i respect your opinion, i have my own. Also, i live in a very liberal area where there are many alternative businesses and the idea of buying local appeals to MANY people in this valley. There are, i repeat, no labs that offer film service within 45 miles (excepting drugstores), and only one Quality photo-lab within 2 hrs (exhorbitant pricing, shitty service).

I already have a customer list several thousand people long. Advertising will be low key at best. I hope to have a film drop box in every Food coop in the nation. :)

No gimmicks, no nicheyness (yet), just a straight up Photo-lab that offers excellent prints at affordable prices. I have ideas on how to expand, but they will wait until the right people have come aboard.

Thanks for your input though... that's why i've posted here. It's similar to the canard "film is dead"... not where i live! Film is making a comeback. Strange as it may seem, over the last year our film processing has gone up almost 300%. I have thought about up-scaling to offer fancy services, but where i live it's just not what people need.


And when all is said and done, people go to a photo lab to talk about their pictures, which they can't really do at Walfart or Costco. That's what most of the Ritz customers will miss... and likely why they'll travel a little further, or spend a little more to see me at my shop.

[intheflow]

3. If you're in Northampton,

I might move back there from Denver to help you launch this, and work it. I'm from Wilbraham, no desire to move to the Springfield area, but if you're up in the college towns... I have 15 years executive secretarial experience, and 8 years customer service experience (in a frame shop, so well familiar with mounting). I've also been a professional wedding photographer, a pet photographer, and have had photographs published in national publications.

And my son is getting married in 3 weeks and probably starting a family within a year. :) Feeling the need to look for work in W.Mass.!

[druidity33]

4. I'm leaving Northampton

The rent there is another reason why Ritz went under. $3,600 a month was WAY TOO much. Greenfield rent will be closer to $750 a month with more space and a better Electrical service. I really like Noho too, but it's just too expensive to have a business in. There are LOTS of stores closing in Noho and Amherst...with the economy sucking and all.

But you could always live in Northampton and commute to Greenfield. :) It's about a half hour drive.

If you're truly interested PM me.

I'll reiterate though... know any kick-ass web designers?

Cheers.

[Mira]

7. Please don't be mad if I don't get this name right but..

I think TandalayaScheisskopf is a web designer, and he is one of us.
Also, if that does not work out, my son just had a kick ass web designer do his website. It was expensive. And it kicks ass in sales.
So, if interested pm me.

[Celebration]

5. Why not ask the computer group?

There are probably people interested in photography there, and there are more likely to be web designers there.

Personally, I designed my website with Word 2003, and it shows! I couldn't even get the text right justified. I'm going to get someone to help me with it soon.

[druidity33]

6. thanks for the tip!

I'll try that tonight...

:)

btw, i designed mine with Apple's Web something or other and though it looks good, it is not at all kick-ass.