Central Camera is the oldest camera store in Chicago. It opened in 1899 at 31 Adams Street, and moved to the current location at 230 S Wabash Ave in 1929.

Central Camera by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Founder Albert Flesch left his native Hungary to come to Chicago alone when he was 13. Albert kept a diary of the trip, describing life on the ship and his arrival in Chicago, where he went to live with an uncle.

Central Camera at night


Years later, Albert Flesch started his work career in the camera department of Siegel-Cooper, one of the large downtown department stores of the day. With this initiation to photography, he opened Central Camera in a storefront at 31 E. Adams St. in 1899.

Central Camera


The year of Central Camera’s founding marked the 60th anniversary of the invention of photography. George Eastman had revolutionized the market with easy-to-operate Kodak box cameras, first introduced in 1888. Albert Flesch offered the innovative service of commercial developing and print processing at his store in 1900, and also operated a mail-order catalogue. Central Camera prospered, moving to Wabash Avenue in 1929.

Central Camera at night


Images in this post date to 2022, including both film and digital. Central Camera is open from 10 AM to 2 PM Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. I was there a few times to record the sign before I was ever inside.

Central Camera


Albert' two sons, Stanley and Harold, were both involved in the business. Albert Flesch had a heart attack and died in 1933 at the age of 56. Harold’s son Albert “Don” Flesch, the current owner, started working in the store as a schoolboy in the 1950s.

Central Camera


Don became co-owner of Central Camera Co. after his father, Harold, died in 1983, and then bought the remaining 50 percent of shares from his uncle Stanley in 1990.

Central Camera


Central Camera was burned and looted in the rioting that took place after the death of George Floyd in 2020. The owner, Don Flesch, had no bitterness, and stood by the African-American community in solidarity at the time. However, the old store was a near-total loss.

Central Camera


Flesch’s equanimity amid the destruction of his family’s business earned him fans on social media, and an outpouring of love and support from customers, the community, and photographers around the world who visited the store over the years. A Go Fund Me effort raised $225,000 for the rebuild.

Central Camera


Now in his 70s, the issue of succession is on his mind. Neither one of his two kids seem to want to take over, Don says, meaning that the store’s familial legacy will likely end with him.

Central Camera


The B&W images in this post were captured using a deep red filter and Kodak TMAX 400. The color film shots come from Kodak Ektar 100. The image titles are URL links to Flickr where all the EXIF data are provided.