History

Built in the 1920s, the 2-story building was home to a night club in the 1920s, a restaurant in the 1930s, a textile company, in the 1940s, and the Universal Bowling Corporation from the 1960s to 2003,  where it served as the company's bowling ball salesroom, as well as  the office of the weekly radio broadcast of  The Ten Pin Tattler. 

The college acquired the building in 2003, which was named the Averill & Bernard Leviton A + D Gallery, part of what was then known as the Art + Design Department.  In 2017, this first floor space became the home to Shop Columbia, a retail store selling student, alumni, and staff artworks. The second floor is home to the College Archives & Special Collections at Columbia College Chicago and the campus mailroom is also located in the building.   

 

Quick Facts

  • Name: Shop Columbia 
  • Other Names: A + D Gallery
  • Address: 619 South Wabash Avenue
  • Size: 21,000 square feet
  • Acquired by College: 2003