Black's is debuting a new store concept in Vancouver, BC today; and will launch the same in Toronto, ON next week.

The concept, now adopted at the 579 Robson St. location in Vancouver, BC, includes a new interactive studio space where customers can relax and develop personalized projects with their photos with the help of a salesperson, including photobooks, canvases, collage prints, and photo blankets.

At the launch today, experts held how-to sessions, including the steps to creating a Quick Print photobook in one hour, how to crop, enlarge, and frame prints, and how to print cameras from a camera phone. The store also features new widescreen kiosks where customers can upload prints to manage them and create products. Also new is the use of the latest eco-friendly dry lab technology, which Black's says provides the "highest quality output available. There was a demonstration of Telus new Optik TV service. (Telus acquired Black's in late 2009.)

"The digital age has enabled us to take, and store, hundreds, if not thousands, of photo memories," declares the retailer. "But what becomes of all those pictures hiding in our cameras and computers?"
Also at the Vancouver store today were grand prize draws for a Sony A330 digital SLR, 150 6x8 prints via a Black's SWIPE digital print card, and a little Black's book prepaid card that can be redeemed for four photobooks.

On hand at the event, which ran this morning from 9-10 a.m. (PST), was Ethel Taylor, President & CEO of Black's; along with David Dundas, Store Manager, and Avtar Singh, Regional Director.
The festivities will be repeated next Thursday July 22 at the Black's store in Sherway Gardens shopping centre in Etobicoke, ON, about 20 minutes west of downtown Toronto. Draws will be held for the same roster of prizes, and the same how-to courses will take place in the morning hour, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Along with Taylor, Store Manager Doreen Marji and Regional Director Elizabeth Hemmerling, will also be present.

Ethel Taylor, President & CEO, Black's. (Photo by Wally Hucker)

Article Tags:  black, store, prints, photo, taylor, digital, print, vancouver, concept, ethel, president, manager, director, regional, morning, draws, toronto, customers, launch, cameras, including, telus, photobooks,