Central Camera is a camera shop at 230 South Wabash[1] in Chicago, Illinois.[2]
History
editCentral 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", due to the large number of historic cameras in the store.[7]
In 2020, it was burned in a two-alarm fire during the George Floyd protests.[8] The owner stated his intention to repair and reopen the store.[9][10] A GoFundMe campaign had raised over $200,000 for rebuilding by mid-June 2020,[11] with the first donation being $1,899 (the number representing the year that the store opened).[12] While rebuilding took place, the business operated in an adjacent vacant storefront.[13] The store reopened in June 2022.[14]
References
edit- ^ Chicago Central Business and Office Building Directory. Winters Publishing Company. 1922.
- ^ a b Rosca, Emily (October 2, 2019). "Film Photography Perseveres in 120-Year-Old Central Camera". Loyola Phoenix. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Central Camera Rises From the Ashes After Looting, Fire". WTTW News. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ Lonsdorf, Kat (May 3, 2016). "Central Camera is stocked with film, lenses, and 117 years of history". Medill Reports Chicago. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ Ben-Amots, Zach (November 1, 2019). "Central Camera serves 120 years of photographers in downtown Chicago". ABC7 Chicago. WLS-TV. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ "Made In Chicago: Central Camera". WBBM (AM). February 10, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ "Central Camera Company damaged in extra-alarm fire amid downtown protests". Chicago Sun-Times. May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ 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 May 31, 2020.
- ^ "Owner Vows To Rebuild After Central Camera Fire" (video). WBBM-TV. May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ Barnes, Paige (June 12, 2020). "Columbia community shares memories after fire destroys beloved Loop camera shop". The Columbia Chronicle. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ Salfiti, Zinya (August 17, 2022). "Central Camera Co. stays focused". Chicago Reader. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Jennings, Noah (October 16, 2020). "Same store, same history, new location: Central Camera prepares to reopen". The Columbia Chronicle. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ "Central Camera Reopens 122-Year-Old Loop Shop After 2020 Fire, Looting: 'I'm So Happy This Place Is Still Here'". Block Club Chicago. June 16, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.