News Summary
Coastal Film Lab has introduced a new dropbox for film development at Black Crow Coffee in St. Petersburg, offering customers a convenient alternative for film submissions. This initiative addresses traffic-related delays that customers frequently faced. Users can submit their films using a QR code linked to the Coastal Film Lab website. The lab, which specializes in various film development types, aims to enhance customer experience with this accessible service, and has plans for more dropbox installations in the future.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Coastal Film Lab has recently expanded its services by installing a new dropbox for film development at Black Crow Coffee in St. Petersburg. This dropbox was officially set up on June 18, 2025, to provide customers with a convenient option for film submission, helping them avoid the hassle of traffic delays.
Coastal Film Lab, which is headquartered in Tampa, has a significant number of clients from St. Petersburg. The installation of this dropbox comes in response to frequent inquiries from customers about delays in arriving at the lab due to traffic conditions. The decision to install the dropbox reflects the lab’s commitment to enhancing customer convenience.
A thorough evaluation of several potential locations was conducted by Coastal Film Lab’s team, ultimately leading to the choice of Black Crow Coffee as the ideal site for the dropbox. Factors influencing this decision included the coffee shop’s existing customer overlap with the lab, its welcoming atmosphere, extended operational hours, the high quality of coffee served, and the friendliness of the staff. The selection of Black Crow Coffee also aligns with the lab’s goal of providing accessible film development services.
The dropbox functions similarly to an online or mail-in order system, enabling users to create and complete their orders through a QR code linked to the Coastal Film Lab website. Customers can specify the type of film they are using and answer several pertinent questions. After submitting their order, customers will receive an email confirmation to assure them that their film has been successfully registered for development.
To utilize the dropbox service, customers are required to package their film or disposable camera along with a completed order form. Coastal Film Lab’s staff picks up the contents of the dropbox daily from Monday to Friday, ensuring timely processing of all submissions.
Coastal Film Lab specializes in the professional development of various film types, including C-41 color, black-and-white, E-6 slide film, and ECN-2 motion picture film. The lab is equipped with high-quality processing machinery, allowing it to deliver consistent and color-accurate results for all its clients. Additionally, the lab provides digital scans of developed film through Google Drive, and customers have the option to select how their negatives are returned, whether rolled or cut and sleeved.
In addition to film development, Coastal Film Lab offers a range of services including camera repairs and operates a full-service analog camera shop that involves the buying and selling of film. This diverse service offering positions Coastal Film Lab as a comprehensive resource for photography enthusiasts in the region.
Looking ahead, Coastal Film Lab has plans to install additional dropboxes in the future. These installations will not only occur locally but also extend to out-of-state locations, further expanding the lab’s reach and convenience for its customers.
The introduction of the dropbox at Black Crow Coffee reflects Coastal Film Lab’s ongoing commitment to improving customer experience while accommodating the needs of film enthusiasts in St. Petersburg and beyond.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The Gabber
- Wikipedia: Film Development
- I Love the Burg
- Google Search: Film Photography
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Google Scholar: Analog Photography
- Flamingo Magazine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Film Festivals
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Google News: Film Development Services
- Analog Forever Magazine
