π Founded in 1965 β FotoMat started in the mid-1960s and quickly became a recognizable part of suburban America. The company was originally based in Florida.
π’ Boom in the 1970s β By the late 1970s, FotoMat had over 4,000 kiosks across the U.S., often found in shopping center parking lots. They were a common sight in suburban neighborhoods.
π° Innovative for Its Time β At its peak, FotoMat was considered revolutionary because it provided fast photo processing before one-hour labs existed. Customers could drop off film and pick up their prints the next dayβsomething unheard of at the time!
π° Acquired by Kodak β In 1980, Kodak bought FotoMat, hoping to use it to expand its film processing services. However, as technology advanced, demand for film development began to decline.
π₯ Early VHS Rental Pioneer β Before Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, FotoMat was one of the first companies to offer movie rentals by mail in the early 1980s. Customers would order a VHS or Betamax movie from a catalog, and it would be delivered to a nearby kiosk for pickup.
π The Decline β The rise of one-hour photo labs, drugstore processing, and eventually digital photography made FotoMat less relevant. By the early 2000s, the brand had all but disappeared.
π Repurposed Kiosks β Many former FotoMat booths were converted into coffee stands, smoothie shops, flower kiosks, and even small banking kiosks. Some still exist today with new uses!
