(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago’s oldest camera store is now back operating in its previous location on Wabash in the South Loop underneath its iconic neon sign.
Nearly two years ago, Central Camera Company was set fire amid the social unrest the followed the police killing of George Floyd. The store was started in 1899 by the grandfather of current owner Don Flesch.
Flesch had vowed to rebuild the full-service store for all things camera, and he has. Central Camera Company had been operating at a temporary location for the past 17 months.
A Go Fund Me effort raised $225,000 for the rebuild.
Flesch may be in his 70s, but he said retiring was not really an option.
"The decision to stay or go is going to be mine, not somebody who sets it on fire and steals everything. I'm too young,” he told WBBM Newsradio last year.
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