At the start of this year, one of Peoria’s oldest and beloved shops looked like it was shutting its doors for good. Peoria Camera Shop, has been a local Peoria business since it opened its doors on Monroe Street in 1937, they then moved to a location on Main Street in 1950 and then moved to the current location in the Metro Centre in 1990. So this is quite an historical business.
But last February it looked like it was all over for the Peoria Camera Shop. So many people were upset it was closing, but nobody was doing anything about it.
Until photographer Ava Kamm came to a clearance sale and bought a little more than she expected to—she bought the shop, literally!
Two of the employees, Ted Ray and Travis Carlson told Ava she should buy the business. Ava looked into it, did some homework and lo and behold she bought it and saved the Peoria Camera Shop!
I went there last June and took a cake to celebrate the fact that Ava saved the local business and Ted and Travis’ jobs!
She told me there was a lot of work to do and down the road they were going to have an official grand opening. Well that happened last Friday and I went and you can check out the festivities and the brand new Ava Kamm version of the Peoria Camera Shop by scrolling downwards.
Here we are at the grand opening of the Peoria Camera Shop at the Metro Centre! This is exciting!
Let’s go in and see what’s happening.
There’s a nice crowd in here and the shop looks nice.
Check out the Grand Opening poster and balloons!
Here’s a newspaper article from the Grand Opening at their former Main Street location back in 1950.
They’re going to be giving away this metal print photo of downtown Peoria later on today. Stay tuned to see who wins this photo valued at 300 dollars!
There’s the new owner of the Peoria Camera Shop, Ava Kamm posing for a photo by the Grand Opening sign.
You can check out her Dog Anthology website by clicking right here.
Here’s Ava with the Peoria Camera Crew.
There she is with Ted Ray in the first picture.
That’s Travis Carlson in the second picture and below that is Ava with Arielle Smous.
There’s Sunny who’s the Social Media Director, the CEO of Naps and he’s also featured on this wall.
Peoria Camera Shop can turn your photos into all kinds of materials including wraps, pillows, canvas, metal prints and more.
There was treats and refreshments including thumbprint cookies from Trefzger’s Bakery, chocolates from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, soft drinks and music from Sam Hinrichsen and T.J. Syndram.
Mari Dreesen joined in for a drum solo at one point!
The shop looks great and you should stop by and support it. Everyone has pictures on their phones and you can get those printed out here at the Peoria Camera Shop.
I like looking at photographs, but hate looking at them on phones, so stop by Peoria Camera to get prints of your photos to share with friends and loved ones.
They also offer photography classes, used gear, photography books, enlargements, cards and announcements, photo restoration, rentals, passport photos and many other items and services.
And there’s gift cards for the upcoming holidays!
There’s Ava’s aunt Arlene Berman with Ava’s Mom, Linda Kamm in the top photo.
Below that is Peoria Camera employee, Alex Loental, who is a Polaroid artist and you can check out his Instagram page by clicking right here.
I had a dueling photo moment with Ted Ray in the bottom photo!
The featured artist for this month is Travis Carlson. Stop in and check out his photography and buy a print to support this local photographer and Peoria Camera Shop employee.
If you’d like to display your photos and sell them at Peoria Camera Shop, just contact Ava and see if she’ll put you on the upcoming featured artist roster.
Okay, time to give away that metal Peoria skyline poster. Mari picked the winning ticket and the winner is…Joe Virbickis!
Congratulations, Joe!
On my way out of the grand opening I got a shot of Ava with her mom, Linda.
Linda said she was so proud of Ava for keeping this shop alive and I am too.
This is a great thing that Ava’s done and we all need to support this local shop that Ava had the guts and determination to keep the shop alive.
When you need a camera or supplies, skip Wal-Mart and Best Buy and shop local at the Peoria Camera Shop in the Metro Centre.
And take those photos on your phone and have them printed out into proper photos to share with your family and friends.
——
4700 N. University St. #64 (In the Metro Centre)
Peoria
309-693-9191
——
Related Post: The Return of Let Them Eat Cake Starring Peoria Camera Shop & Featuring A Cake From Trefzger’s Bakery!