Foto Hut (photography chain)
Encyclopedia
The Foto Hut photography chain was started in 1972 by Frank Sklar (March 22, 1921 – December 1, 2009) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. Although the chain failed both because of competition with larger retail corporations such as Walmart and Target
and because of the popularity of digital media, the name Foto Hut lives in cyberspace
largely because of That '70s Show
, specifically the character Leo
, a Foto Hut owner.
Customers would deliver rolls of film negatives
to local Foto Hut stores, then return to collect their finished photographs. The Foto Hut business model included hand delivery of photographic film from franchised retail outlets to a central developing factory and then redelivering processed images to the Foto Hut franchisees. The franchisees also offered camera sales and repair services. The factory was located in an 1881 Victorian Renaissance
building on East Carson Street in Pittsburgh. The factory closed abruptly in 2003. Final customers had to wait over a month to receive their photographs.
The follow-your-dreams dramedy
, Gypsy 83
, features a vulnerable goth
heroine who works at a Foto Hut in Sandusky, Ohio. The metaphor here seems to be that the goth world view is as inconsistent with mainstream values as Foto Hut was inconsistent with successful business practices.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. Although the chain failed both because of competition with larger retail corporations such as Walmart and Target
Target Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
and because of the popularity of digital media, the name Foto Hut lives in cyberspace
Cyberspace
Cyberspace is the electronic medium of computer networks, in which online communication takes place.The term "cyberspace" was first used by the cyberpunk science fiction author William Gibson, though the concept was described somewhat earlier, for example in the Vernor Vinge short story "True...
largely because of That '70s Show
That '70s Show
That '70s Show is an American television period sitcom that centers on the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town of Point Place, Wisconsin, from May 17, 1976, to December 31, 1979...
, specifically the character Leo
Leo (That '70s Show)
Leonard King Mickey "Leo" Chingkwake is a fictional character on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, portrayed by Tommy Chong. The character is an aging hippie and the owner of a Foto Hut at which Steven Hyde worked. Leo himself does not have a strong work ethic, often putting play before work and...
, a Foto Hut owner.
Customers would deliver rolls of film negatives
Negative (photography)
In photography, a negative may refer to three different things, although they are all related.-A negative:Film for 35 mm cameras comes in long narrow strips of chemical-coated plastic or cellulose acetate. As each image is captured by the camera onto the film strip, the film strip advances so that...
to local Foto Hut stores, then return to collect their finished photographs. The Foto Hut business model included hand delivery of photographic film from franchised retail outlets to a central developing factory and then redelivering processed images to the Foto Hut franchisees. The franchisees also offered camera sales and repair services. The factory was located in an 1881 Victorian Renaissance
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
building on East Carson Street in Pittsburgh. The factory closed abruptly in 2003. Final customers had to wait over a month to receive their photographs.
The follow-your-dreams dramedy
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
, Gypsy 83
Gypsy 83
Gypsy 83 is a 2001 drama film, written and directed by Todd Stephens, about two young goths, Gypsy and Clive, who travel to New York for an annual festival celebrating their idol, Stevie Nicks.-Plot:...
, features a vulnerable goth
Goth subculture
The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in England during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify...
heroine who works at a Foto Hut in Sandusky, Ohio. The metaphor here seems to be that the goth world view is as inconsistent with mainstream values as Foto Hut was inconsistent with successful business practices.