Ivy’s new owner to expand services
A former Des Moines Art Center instructor has purchased Ivy Photography and Telescope, renaming it Ivy Camera and Telescope, and plans to expand its services to include educational workshops and digital photography.
Bob Fuller, manager of Robert Fuller Photography LLC, announced last week he had purchased the longtime retail business, located 3704 Ingersoll Ave., from David Phillips, who owned the business for six years, on Feb. 17. Fuller, who taught photography at the Art Center for 12 years, has been an employee at the store for since 1999. Phillips, who owns the building housing the store, will lease the space to Fuller.
“I think there will always be a niche for high-quality service and photography,” said Fuller, who at age 57 becomes a store owner for the first time.
Fuller said Ivy, which has served customers’ photography needs under different owners for 50 years in the same location, will continue to offer a full range of retail photography services and products. He will retain the store’s five employees and plans to expand Ivy’s line of telescopes and introduce hands-on workshops for small groups on photographic techniques and digital advances, as well as a class focusing on the pros and cons of film versus digital.
“We’re expanding our digital services so we can scan and cut CDs and stay competitive,” he said. “A lot of people are getting on the bandwagon for digital photography even though they don’t need to. There will always be a place for film, and we want to help customers make the right decision based on their needs.”