Owen Studios shoots for new location on Neil
AFTER roughly 60 years in the same location, Owen Studios is moving from its historic home in the CBD.
Business owner Syd Owen revealed the studio and Camera House franchise would move from its original shop front in Ruthven St into the old Holden dealership on the intersection of Neil and James Sts.
The new location will help Mr Owen showcase a larger range of products from top brands, more staff and increase the size of the photography studio.
The business was founded by Mr Owen’s father, also called Syd, six decades ago, and he said it was a difficult decision to make.
“We’ve outgrown where we are with the shop space and we want to offer our clients a bigger and better of cameras and lenses,” he said.
“My dad started the business in 1961 and we’ve been in the same location for 60 years or so.
“There will be a few emotions, but I won’t know how I feel until I get there. You don’t make these decisions lightly.
“It’s a really a nice visual location. It’s easily accessible with the traffic – it’s going to have seven car parks.”
On top of the larger range, Mr Owen said he wanted to expand into education and training.
“We’re going to do a lot of training and education, to show people how to use their cameras. It’s a whole new experience for us,” he said.
“It’s just extending the brands that we already have, the usual Sony, Canon, Nikon and we’re expanding a lot into the drones, the DJI variety.
“It’s been a lot of organisation to get it happen, but we’re excited that it’s going to be real.”
The new store is expected to open in July.
My dad started the business in 1961 and we’ve been in the same location for 60 years or so. — Syd Owen