This week marks the end of a remarkable era in Whistler Village—the closing of Rick Clare’s Whistler Foto Source, which many of us still think of as Whistler One-Hour Photo as it was called when Rick opened the store in 1984. His busy little store, so often a life-saver for local and visiting photographers, deserves recognition as one of the longest-running owner-operated businesses in the Village, and will be greatly missed.
In addition to the store, and Rick’s other very successful business venture here, Coast Mountain Photography, Rick has contributed to the Whistler community in so many other ways—with 12 years as chairman of Tourism Whistler, twice as president of its board, and also in the role of commercial director. He has served on various task forces for the Whistler Chamber of Commerce and for the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Rick also worked on the bid committee for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler and was on the first board of VANOC.
With his enthusiasm and valued input on so many aspects of our community, it is no surprise Rick was previously recognized as Whistler’s Citizen of the Year, and has frequently been voted as Favourite Whistlerite in Pique’s Best of Whistler readers’ polls.
As he wraps up 41 years as the always welcoming face to efficiently address a myriad of photography needs, we join the sentiments of many others here in thanking Rick for his enduring role in the success of Whistler Village from the very early years.
