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Introducing. . . Porter's Camera Store |
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Porter's Camera Store had its start back in 1914 when Frank Porter bought a portrait studio at 2208 College Street in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In the 1920's, he gradually converted the studio into a B&W photo finishing operation. In 1948, Frank's son Darrel took over and changed the photo finishing business into a retail store. In 1951, Darrel changed the name from College Hill Studio to Porter's Camera Store. In the early 1960's, further emphasis was placed on retail photographic supply sales. In 1964, David Montz joined the firm and later became a partner.
Mail Order Division Begins
Porter's mail order business started in the late 1960's when customers would call and ask for merchandise to be shipped to them. The expanding business required more space, so a new Porter's Mail Order Division office and warehouse building was built at 411 Viking Road in Cedar Falls. This facility has 5,000 square feet of office space and 11,200 square feet of space for the warehouse and shipping departments. Further growth made a second 11,000 square foot warehouse necessary. It was built in 1980. In 1984, the retail store moved from College Hill to a new building adjacent to the office and warehouse facility at 323 Viking Road.
In September 1999, David Montz and Darrel Porter sold the business to SDSHS Inc. Partners in this firm include Jeff Schmitt, who is now the president of Porter's, along with Joe and Geri Schmitt and Joe and Diane Dodds, owners of Rapids Wholesale Equipment of Marion, Iowa. Rapids Equipment is a mail-order supplier of equipment for the restaurant and bar industry. Joe Schmitt and Joe Dodds are active in the management of Porter's, implementing direct marketing techniques that have proven successful at Rapids Wholesale. There has been no change in the location or operation of the business.
Reaching Customers Throughout The Country
Porter's advertises in leading photo magazines and puts out a number of catalogs each year to over 125,000 mail order customers. Orders are shipped throughout the country, primarily to hobbyists, professionals, semi-pros, newspapers, schools and universities in the United States and Canada. More than 35 employees handle sales, advertising, bookkeeping and shipping operations.
Growing To Serve You Better
By providing customers with fast, reliable service and competitively priced, quality merchandise, Porter's Camera Store has grown from a small local camera store to a name known by photo enthusiasts throughout the country.
Porter's Mission Statement
Our mission is to earn the loyalty of our customers through our highly trained and motivated employees, partnered with suppliers to provide products, services, and solutions that exceed our customers' expectations. We will earn referrals and repeat business by providing outstanding service to our customers. Our success is dependent upon our customers' satisfaction.
Contact Us:
Phone: 800-553-2001 (orders)
319-268-0104 (other questions)
Fax: 800-221-5329 or 319-277-5254
E-mail: pcsgeneralmail@porters.com
Webstore Manager: webmanager@porters.com
Porter's Mail Order Office:
411 W. Viking Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613-6930
Store Locations:
Cedar Falls, Iowa:
Porter's Digital Cameras and Imaging, 323 Viking Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Phone: 319-266-0303
Cedar Rapids, Iowa:
Porter's Digital Cameras and Imaging, 224 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
Phone: 319-373-0658
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