BOULDER – Mike’s Camera, a specialty photographic retailer based in Boulder, announced Monday it is kicking off an expansion that will add 10 stores in Colorado and northern California.

Mike’s Camera Inc. currently has three stores, including one in Boulder at 2500 Pearl St. It will open stores in downtown Denver, Wheat Ridge, Thornton, Greenwood Village and Colorado Springs this week, according to a press release from the company.

The California stores – in San Francisco, Mill Valley, Menlo Park, Dublin and Sacramento – will open next week, the release said.

Mike’s Camera expects the expansion will create more than 80 jobs. The company sells cameras, camcorders and equipment, processes images and hosts educational programs. The company was founded in 1967 and focuses on professionals and dedicated amateurs.

The locations previously were operated by Ritz Camera & Imaging, which filed for bankruptcy in June.

Ritz Camera & Imaging, which was the parent of Colorado camera retailer Wolf Camera, went out of business and liquidated in September after failing to find a buyer. Wolf camera bought Robert Waxman Camera and Video in 1998, and Ritz bought Wolf in 2001.

“We are excited to be able to bring our unique services into so many new locations,” said Alex Christianian, chief operating officer of Mike’s Camera, in the release. “We look forward to introducing our customers to a wide range of possibilities on all the fun things they can do with their images.”