Kenmore Merchants Undressed

Kenmore Camera – The REI of Camera Stores…..Someday!

Kenmore Camera – Since 1974

18031 67th Ave. NE, Kenmore WA 98028

425-485-7447 or toll free 1-888-485-7447

Open Monday-Friday 9:00-7:00, Saturday 9:00-5:00, Sunday 12:00-5:001 67th

Taking a pristine picture of Kenmore Camera without cars parked in front is almost impossible. You would have to get up really, really early. In fact, the first thing one notices about this highly successful, long-lived Kenmore merchant is that it’s always busy there…..Which is exactly the way Bob Donovan, Kenmore Camera’s owner, likes it! Bob has been working at Kenmore Camera since his father started the business back in 1974. “Things have changed a lot over the years,” says Bob, “I can remember when people rode their horses in front of the store.” He told me that the building itself used to be the Kenmore Fire Department complete with the original training tower! Today the 4500 square foot store offers an enormous inventory of photographic products from the most advanced, professional digital cameras to  35mm cameras for the old timers, plus a huge array of accessories.

According to Bob, the technology connected with cameras and photography has evolved to an incredible degree and competition between the various manufacturers to produce even better cameras is fierce. “The competition has created an environment where improvements between cameras are not incremental, they’re exponential,” he said. An interesting aspect of running the business is having a staff that can keep up with the newest products and developments, while at the same time understanding the old-style cameras. There’s an enormous amount of information his sales people must absorb.

As retailers go, Kenmore Camera has not seen a drop in sales due to the current economic slowdown. Bob explained that he has a huge customer base who are simply purchasing less expensive equipment right now. He also ships to a wide range of customers worldwide. It’s no wonder that he has twenty busy employees. The shop’s most current project is a free seminar featuring the world-renowned photographer Art Wolfe at the Lynnwood Convention Center on April 11th. For more information just click on the picture below:

Bob and I also talked about the future of Kenmore. Recently, we both attended a meeting of the Kenmore Economic Development Committee and I was curious to know his thought about all the plans to re-enliven Kenmore. Overall, Bob is optimistic about Kenmore’s potential as a premiere community. He feels that our close proximity to Lake Washington and easy access to the major highways place us at the crossroads of many possibilities. When I asked him about the future of Kenmore Camera, he said someday they need a larger building. He would like to have a shop like the downtown REI (his favorite store). “I’d like to be the REI of camera stores!” He’s certainly on his way. Check out the slide show below:

One thing is certain, Kenmore Camera is a jewel in the crown of home-grown Kenmore businesses. The staff is attentive, extremely knowledgable and friendly. Bob has a lot to be proud of and I’m looking forward to his next shop which, I hope, has a climbing wall just like REI. Think of how cool that would be!

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