Blacks photography chain to shutter all 59 Canadian locations

Blacks photography, which has been around for 85 years, is set to close the doors on all 59 stores in Canada, according to CTV News.

The chain employees about 485 people, and the official closing date is set for August 8.

Parent company Telus says an unspecified number of employees will be redistributed within the Telus umbrella, be it at the head office, in retail stores, or call centres. Others will be offered “transition packages.”

Telus spokesperson Luiza Staniec says technology is to blame for the absorption of Blacks. In spite of improvements in the last year, the way people are taking and sharing photos is evolving, and the company was unable to keep up.

Telus has owned Blacks since 2009, when they bought the company for $28 million.

Blacks, which is headquartered in Toronto, was founded in 1930.