Help Save Relics Camera Store & Film Lab

Overview

Relics is California’s first black-owned camera store and film lab, with a mission to bring diversity and accessibility to the world of film and make it easy and welcoming for everyone to experience the joy of analog photography.

We urgently need your support in saving our business and securing a permanent long-term lease at 1105 E 3rd St, Long Beach so we can thrive for many years to come. The Long Beach and Relics community have been incredibly supportive since we opened our doors, helping us weather the challenges that have come our way since starting this venture during the heart of the pandemic in mid-2020. Despite this, the ongoing pressures of the economic downturn, the rising costs of rent, and a tough and unwavering retail market are threatening to close our doors for good, and we need your help to keep going.

As a dedicated film camera store and full-service film lab, Relics has been instrumental in serving our community with reliable film, lab, and camera repair services, while also providing a safe space for all photographers, and offering free events as well as actively contributing to community-building initiatives in the Downtown and Bluff Heights neighborhoods of Long Beach, California.

However, the uncertainty of our current location and a down economy pose a serious threat to the continuity of these services and our business as a whole. Securing a permanent home at 1105 E 3rd St will allow us to establish a stable base for our operations, ensuring the longevity of our retail store, film lab, and safe place for our thriving community. Your donations will not only strengthen our commitment to those we serve but also allow us to continue to operate and provide a positive impact on the communities we are part of.

It’s really hard to share this news. We self-funded this entire venture and have never asked for help, but at this point, we have no choice; we’re hoping this GoFundMe works to help us stay alive, grow, and thrive for many many years to come.

We are reaching out to compassionate individuals and organizations like yours to request support in the form of donations. Your contribution will play a vital role in helping Relics Camera Store & Film Lab continue to operate and secure the long-term lease needed to move forward with our mission.

Learn More About Relics and How We Got Started

Here are some videos of our workshops, photo walks, spotlights, and film lab:

Photo Walks-

Workshops-

Film Lab-

Photographer Spotlight-

How will this money be used?

Our goal is to raise at least $50,000 to cover essential expenses associated with securing our lease and providing essential film lab services, including but not limited to:

Plans for the Future:

We envision a revitalized Relics at 1105 E 3rd St as a thriving dynamic community hub, complete with photographer sponsorships to the amazing community members we serve, social pop-ups, super 8 and 16mm motion picture film processing and scanning, film processing and professional scanning workshops, artist talks, and an artist residency program. With your support, we aim to turn this space into a flourishing center that not only provides essential photography services but also celebrates local talent. Your contribution will not only secure our physical space but will build the foundation for a brighter future, where a small business and community thrives, and artists find inspiration.

Rent and a hefty deposit will be due by the end of the month, and without your support, we fear losing our home at 1105 E 3rd St forever.

Your support will create a financial buffer for miscellaneous expenses, ensuring the stability we need without compromising our services. Relics Camera Store & Film Lab has been an integral part of our community, providing reliable services and actively participating in community-building efforts. Your contribution will not only help us secure our physical space long-term but will also fortify our commitment to serving the film community we love and care so much about.

Every donation, regardless of size, brings us closer to materializing our mission and creating a lasting impact on our community. Thank you in advance, we really appreciate your support during this challenging time.

Why Donate?

There are a few reasons why you might contribute to help save Relics Camera Store & Film Lab which has become endangered due to a challenging economy and increased rent.

In any of these cases or others, your contribution will be very much appreciated and put to good use.

Thank you for considering our urgent appeal. Your support is instrumental in ensuring the survival and longevity of Relics Camera Store & Film Lab and our continued positive impact on Long Beach and the overall film photography community.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Drake Woodson

Founder, Relics Camera Store & Film Lab