Iconic Central Camera damaged amid protests

(Iconic camera shop sustained damage)

For those in the film industry, it’s tough to hear names like Central Camera go up in flames.  Founded in 1899, the third generation camera store reached its 121th anniversary this year. Crews responded to the two-alarm fire in the 200 block of South Wabash Avenue, according to a tweet from the Chicago Fire Department shortly after 11:30 p.m. 

Home to priceless heirlooms, Central Camera has been an industry “go to” for over a century.  The owner, Don Flesch, promised to rebuild the store better than before, and was grateful to rescue his grandfather’s antique camera before it was engulfed in flames. They posted images of the destruction on Instagram.

On Instagram, Central Camera posted, “Thank you everyone for your continued support. We will get through this. Please do not let this take away from the cause. We can rebuild, and we can do it better together.”


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They have now also posted that they are working on a Go Fund Me campaign.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2GhZIFsnj/

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No injuries were reported fire officials said. Here is the link for the Go Fund Me. Central Camera has already raised $113,000 of its $250,000 goal.

Katharin Mraz is a contributing writer for Reel Chicago and Reel 360Email her at katharin@reelchicago.com