Central Camera

Central Camera is a camera shop at 230 South Wabash[1] in Chicago, Illinois.[2]

The neon sign above the store in 2010
Inside the store in 2013
The store at night in 2012
The store in 2020, boarded up after the George Floyd protests
A note left on the store after it was burned in 2020

History

Central Camera is the oldest camera store in the city. It opened in 1899 at 31 Adams Street.[2] It was started by a Hungarian immigrant,[3] moved to its current South Loop location in 1929[4] and is currently operated by a third-generation owner.[5][6] In 2020, radio station WBBM referred to it as "a museum of photography".[7] In 2020, it was burned in a two-alarm fire during the George Floyd protests.[8] The owner has stated his intention to repair and reopen the store.[9][10] As of June 12, 2020, a GoFundMe has raised over $200,000 for rebuilding.[11] As of October 2020, the business had been operating in an adjacent vacant storefront while rebuilding was taking place.[12]

References
  1. Chicago Central Business and Office Building Directory. Winters Publishing Company. 1922.
  2. Rosca, Emily (October 2, 2019). "Film Photography Perseveres in 120-Year-Old Central Camera". Loyola Phoenix. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  3. Bizzarri, Amy (2015). Discovering Vintage Chicago: A Guide to the City's Timeless Shops, Bars, Delis & More. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4930-1406-4.
  4. "Central Camera Rises From the Ashes After Looting, Fire". WTTW News. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  5. Lonsdorf, Kat (May 3, 2016). "Central Camera is stocked with film, lenses, and 117 years of history". Medill Reports Chicago. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  6. Ben-Amots, Zach (November 1, 2019). "Central Camera serves 120 years of photographers in downtown Chicago". ABC7 Chicago. WLS-TV. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  7. "Made In Chicago: Central Camera". WBBM (AM). February 10, 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  8. "Central Camera Company damaged in extra-alarm fire amid downtown protests". Chicago Sun-Times. May 31, 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  9. Elejalde-Ruiz, Alexia (May 31, 2020). "Central Camera, iconic Loop business for 121 years, vows to rebuild as building burns during unrest over George Floyd death". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  10. "Owner Vows To Rebuild After Central Camera Fire" (video). WBBM-TV. May 31, 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  11. Barnes, Paige (June 12, 2020). "Columbia community shares memories after fire destroys beloved Loop camera shop". The Columbia Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  12. Jennings, Noah (October 16, 2020). "Same store, same history, new location: Central Camera prepares to reopen". The Columbia Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
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