With Penn Camera Acquisition and Rebranding Complete, Calumet Photographic Preserves Presence of Photo Specialty Retail in DC Metro Area

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - May 1, 2013) - Calumet Photographic, an international specialty photo retailer serving photographers since 1939, arrived in the D.C. Metro Area a little more than a year ago after purchasing three Penn Camera locations following Penn's bankruptcy. Since then, Calumet has continued the legacy built by the local family brand while serving the thousands of local customers who had grown to trust and rely on Penn Camera. Following a successful first year in the D.C. Metro Area, Calumet announces plans to rebrand the three stores in Rockville, Tysons Corner and on E Street in D.C. as well as transition the PennPrints website. 

Through its acquisitions, Calumet has retained much of the expertise that local D.C. families, the Ritzs and the Zweigs, had established in the local markets and in the industry as a whole. Since Calumet purchased the three Penn Camera stores, the brand has worked diligently to continue the legacy, including retaining the imaging side of the business, and appointing former employee and family member, Brian Zweig, as regional sales manager. Following acquisitions of Ritz Camera locations, Calumet has also employed some of the Ritz Camera talent for its local stores and its corporate office in Chicago. 

"Through the acquisition of the Metro D.C. Penn Camera stores, Calumet has not only been able to extend its footprint in the area, but also its knowledge base by adding imaging destinations to its service offerings," states Brian Carroll, president and CEO of Calumet Photographic. "These three stores have become some of our top locations in the Calumet family, and we are excited that local customers consider us their photography destination of choice."

"It's been exciting to introduce the Calumet brand to my hometown," says Brian Zweig, the last of the 60-year-old Penn legacy still in the industry. "The Penn Camera company, much like the Calumet organization, recognizes the importance of not only selling the right product mix, but equally important, staffing the stores with photography experts. Products continue to become more sophisticated and our customers expect us to be knowledgeable about the latest technology in the market. That is what distinguishes Calumet from a mass merchandiser." 

Calumet's D.C. Metro Area stores are located at 8357 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA (703.893.7366), 840 E Street NW, Washington DC (202.347.5777) and 12266-F Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD (301.231.7366). 

About Calumet Photographic
Calumet Photographic has been serving photographers since 1939. Only Calumet serves the needs of photographers with an interactive website, professional call center, worldwide retail and rental centers. There are 31 retail centers in the Calumet group serving the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.