KERRISDALE CAMERAS: Celebrating 60 Years as a Family Business Story by Sarah Gordon
photos by Sandra Steier & Carolynne Palla
Over the last 60 years, many businesses have come and gone from Kerrisdale Village, while a handful of family-owned businesses have stood the test of time. Kerrisdale Cameras is one of these success stories. Linda Hudson is Kerrisdale Cameras’ president and owner. In 1961, her father, Bob Hudson, and her grandmother, Mary Hudson, opened their camera business on West 41st Avenue. Linda says, “My father’s interest in cameras dates back before the opening of his first store. ‘I started selling equipment when I was going to UBC to break the monotony of classes,’ Bob told a photo magazine back in 1990. With a mischievous grin, he’d recalled how he was even selling the equipment while in class. Appropriately named, his business Varsity Camera was based out of the family home near UBC—when he wasn’t selling during classes.”
Vancouver, Bob had numerous requests to open more shops. Between the years 1968 to 1986, branch stores opened in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, and Surrey. Victoria replaced Surrey in 1986.
“Seven stores had become the magical number for us to maintain the personal touch with both customers and employees,” says Linda.
Following graduation from UBC and shortly after his father passed away, Bob decided to open Kerrisdale Cameras. Initially, he continued working at his full-time job at Safeway, across the street, while his mother ran the shop. He would return to the store during his breaks at Safeway. As people moved out of the Kerrisdale neighbourhood to other areas around Metro 8
Bob Hudson in 2009 Photo by Felix Mar
September 1 - November 15, 2021
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