C&A moving Calumet Photographic forward, though not without bumps

As reported last week, New Jersey based photography retailer, C&A Marketing Inc, which purchased some of Calumet Photographic's assets and debt, opened the Oak Brook Calumet Photographic store last Sunday, May 11^th.

The opening was generally well received with customers noting many of the old Oak Brook staff had been rehired by C&A to run the store.

Customers reported to me that the store had Pocket Wizard, Sekonic, Gitzo, Manfrotto, Calumet, Quantum, Nikon, Canon, as part of a large variety of name brand products, in the store for the opening. Some customers said they were disappointed that many higher end products, for sale mainly to professionals and enthusiasts, were not in stock, such as Nikon professional bodies and lenses.

Calumet Photographic to open Oak Brook store on Sunday, May 11

As reported last week, New Jersey based photography retailer, C&A Marketing Inc. outbid the proposal of CalPhotoUS, owned by former principals of Calumet, to purchase specific assets and debt of the former Calumet Photographic for just under $4 million. The purchase includes the option to open five of the former chain's 14 stores.

C&A Marketing announced yesterday that on Sunday, May 11, they will hold the “grand reopening” of the Oak Brook Calumet Photographic store. The Oak Brook Calumet Photographic store is located at 1600 West 16^th Street in Oak Brook, Illinois. Beginning on Sunday morning at noon, the store's phone at 630–860–7458 will be available to the public.

Calumet Photographic acquired by C&A Marketing Inc.

The Calumet acquisition decision has been made by the US Bankruptcy Court of the Northern District of Illinois.

New Jersey company, C&A Marketing Inc. outbid the proposal of CalPhotoUS, owned by former principals of Calumet, purchasing some assets and debt of the former Calumet Photographic for just under $4 million. The purchase includes the option to open five of the former chain's 14 stores. CalPhoto had offered $2.825 million for the remnants of the chain.

Chaim Pikarski, executive vice president of C&A Marketing Inc. said they would decide soon how many, if any, of the old Calumet stores, they would reopen, and if they would move any of the stores to new locations.

Calumet Photographic bankruptcy update: Next date for motions scheduled for May 13th

I've been reporting on Calumet Photographic's bankruptcy for some time now.

On March 12th Calumet Photographic, the US based photography store chain filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and closed all their US locations. The Calumet stores in the United Kingdom, and elsewhere in Europe, being financially separate entities from the US company, were unaffected by the US bankruptcy.

Many US Calumet customers, caught by surprise by the bankruptcy, were holding photography gear rented from the company, unable to return it, prepaid orders, and store credits, gift cards, etc.

Calumet Photographic bankruptcy update: Aquisition decision expected on April 29th

I've been reporting on Calumet Photographic's bankruptcy for some time now. Let's review what's happened so far.

On March 12th Calumet Photographic, the US based photography store chain filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and closed all their US locations. The Calumet stores in the United Kingdom, and elsewhere in Europe, being financially separate entities from the US company, were unaffected by the US bankruptcy.

Many US Calumet customers, caught by surprise by the bankruptcy, were holding photography gear rented from the company, unable to return it, prepaid orders, and store credits.

Calumet Photographic bankruptcy update: There is hope for Calumet customers!

I've been reporting on Calumet Photographic's bankruptcy for some time now. For the first time, for at least some customers of the defunct company, there may good news about your store credits, and prepaid orders, however, don't jump for joy quite yet.

Let's review what's happened so far. On March 12th Calumet Photographic, the US based photography store chain filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and closed all their US locations. The Calumet stores in the United Kingdom, and elsewhere in Europe, being financially separate entities from the US company, were unaffected by the US bankruptcy.

Many US Calumet customers, caught by surprise by the bankruptcy, were holding photography gear rented from the company, unable to return it, prepaid orders, and store credits.

Calumet Photographic bankruptcy update: Contact Information for those with rental equipment and other issues

As reported here earlier this month, on March 12th Calumet Photographic, the US based photography store chain filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and closed all their US locations. The Calumet stores in the United Kingdom, and elsewhere in Europe, being financially separate entities from the US company, are unaffected by the US bankruptcy.

By the middle of the day on March 14th, the Calumet US website, as well as their Twitter and Facebook accounts were shut-down.

There are many US Calumet customers who are currently holding photography gear rented from the company, and currently unable to return the gear, due to the store closures. Others have prepaid orders at the company, while others have Calumet US store based credits.

Unreturned rental gear from bankrupt Calumet Photographic isn't owned by renters

For many of us in the photography world, it was a sad day today, when we learned that Calumet Photographic in the US filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy on March 12th, and closed all their stores in the US.

Apparently their employees were given no warning of the impending bankruptcy, and many have personal belongings remaining behind the locked doors of Calumet's stores. They appear to be completely in the dark about what will happen next, and when they can retrieve their belongings.

Calumet was an important part of the communities in which they had stores, not only selling equipment to professionals and amateurs alike, but offering quality classes for photographers at affordable prices.