Columbia Photo Closing

by David Reed

February 17,2010

Columbia Photo is closing after 42 years of operation. Vice President Patrick Marks said in news release today that the operators expect to close the store at 111 S. Ninth St. in April. That will give customers enough time to redeem coupons and use gift cards. He did not provide an explanation and was not immediately available for comment.

The store's slogan is "Preserving memories since 1968." That was the year Tom Atkins bought Capen's Photography on Broadway downtown and changed the name to Columbia Photo. The store, which provides a variety of photography equipment and related services, moved to north Tenth Street and stayed there until last April, when it moved back downtown and Columbia College bought the property on the edge of its campus.

The move to the Atkins City Center, a renovated historic building on one of the city's most-traveled streets, provided Columbia Photo with less space but greater visibility.

The news release said anyone with an interest in filling the niche market Columbia Photo filled for decades should contact Marks at the store. (443-0503 or at pmarks@columbiaphoto.com)