Don’s Photo snaps up Photo Central

An exciting new development has the owner of Don’s Photo focused on the future.

Mike Godfrey purchased Photo Central at 957 Portage Ave. last month, and will relabel it as the third Don’s Photo location in Winnipeg. Don’s Photo announced the news online at the beginning of October.

Godfrey told the Free Press that he and former Photo Central owner Andrew Toews had been talking for a few years about the possibility of Godfrey purchasing the business. Those talks became more serious earlier this year and the deal closed at the end of September. Neither party disclosed the terms.

Purchasing Photo Central appealed to Godfrey because of the company’s strong reputation, he said, adding he was worried someone from outside the province might purchase it if he didn’t.

“I thought merging them (Don’s Photo and Photo Central) would be better than someone else coming in and maybe not giving the photo community in Manitoba the respect they deserve,” Godfrey said.

Photo Central’s six employees will keep their jobs, and Godfrey said customers can expect the same level of service and expertise that’s defined Photo Central. The store will undergo a rebrand in the next few months to match the Don’s Photo locations at 1839 Main St. and 379 Broadway.

“The plan is to continue to run the business like it has been run, and keep on promoting photography and content creation in Winnipeg,” Godfrey said.

In the online announcement, Don’s Photo noted it has shared a parallel path with Photo Central for more than four decades.

Dick Toews (Andrew’s father) opened Photo Central in 1975, and Godfrey’s parents started Don’s Photo three years later. Both businesses have operated with the same mission to help photographers and families capture life’s best moments.

Andrew Toews, who owned Photo Central for more than 17 years, said there were numerous reasons why he decided to sell. They included the fact running Photo Central was demanding more time than he was willing to give.

“For a long time, I’ve been trying to use it as a platform to help others in need, whether that’s financially or give myself the time to volunteer or serve elsewhere — care for those who need help,” said Toews, who is heavily involved at New Life Church in Stonewall. “Ultimately, that’s where my passion lies much more than being a businessman.”

Toews is taking some time off and may pursue education in the field of mental health. The hardest part of selling the business, he said, was leaving staff and customers behind.

“We fell two months shy of running the business for 50 years and (that longevity) all comes down to the customer loyalty and appreciation,” Toews said. “Thank you to the community for supporting us.”

Seeing two photo stores that excel at customer service come together is exciting, said Kayla Gordon, president of the Manitoba Camera Club. The club has more than 100 members, many of whom patronize both businesses.

“We’re happy that they’re hanging around and that they’re going to amalgamate,” Gordon said.

Godfrey noted buying Photo Central means Don’s Photo has returned to one of Winnipeg’s key streets.

“Being back on Portage Avenue is great,” he said. “It’s a great location.”

Don’s Photo occupied 410 Portage Ave. for 21 years before moving to the corner of Broadway and Edmonton at the beginning of 2023.

The company employs 46 people in Winnipeg. Don’s Photo also has two Saskatchewan locations — one each in Regina and Saskatoon.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca