Toronto Lomography store destined for the deadpool

The Toronto Lomography Store's days are numbered. The haven for analogue shooters and lovers of camera kitsch is set to close its doors on August 18th after an almost three year run on Queen West. While not entirely surprising, the closure will surely be a bruise for film fanatics across the city, as the places to purchase, develop, and talk film are becoming less plentiful every year. But along with its retail offerings, the store served as both a gallery space and community hub for analogue enthusiasts.

As far as the reasons for the pending closure go, store employee Ryan Zaback noted during a brief phone call that Lomography's head office is downsizing and hinted that the Toronto location was suffering in the sales department. It's not alone in that regard. Earlier this year the Lomography Store in LA closed and before that the Manchester location also shuttered.

Predictably, there's a minor silver lining in the form of discounts on store stock. Although there won't be a huge blow out, regular stock (a.k.a. not the film itself) is 20 per cent off until the doors closed, and there's far better deals to be had on floor models, store fixtures, etc.

As for a future brick and mortar hub for lo-fi lovers in Toronto, that's probably a done deal. But, in fitting bit of irony, the lomo community has surely gone digital enough in its dealings to weather the loss of this space without hanging up its reels.

by Derek Flack via blogTO