3901 Shaw (former Salamah's Market)

Mark Groth · PostJul 07, 2015#12015-07-07T14:23+00:00

Looks like the Alderman and neighborhood groups have transferred ownership of the former movie theater/Salamah's Market on Shaw to the LRA...with an RFP on the way. Nice history from the TG CDC:

Alderman Conway lead the effort to buy the building from the previous owner. The operation is now closed. The building is 7500 sq. ft. and the LRA owned properties behind the building could be used for parking. Below is more info on the history of the building:

The Shaw Theatre opened in 1915 as part of the Arthur Theatres chain (Franchon & Marco) and seated 1,140. Located in the Shaw neighborhood just six blocks from the Botanical Gardens. A single floor theatre with and plain front. Rather large lobby for a small neighborhood theatre.

Located right on the corner of Shaw Avenue and S. 39th Street in the middle of the neighborhood shopping center it was rather unique in that it was built up from the street level and you had to climb about five steps to get to the entrance level. The marquee was made to stretch around the corner so that one side was on S. 39th Street and the other on Shaw Avenue. The theatre gave way to television in 1957 and was converted to a drug store, today operating as a supermarket.

Source: http://towergrovecdc.org/tgncdc-blog/

mjbais1489 · PostJul 07, 2015#22015-07-07T19:19+00:00

Awesome. I just moved a couple blocks away - this market looked like a trouble maker

moorlander · PostJul 07, 2015#32015-07-07T19:54+00:00

I NEVER would have guessed that was once a theater seating over 1,000 people.

roger wyoming II · PostJul 07, 2015#42015-07-07T19:55+00:00

^ people were smaller back in the day.

pat · PostMay 03, 2016#52016-05-03T20:07+00:00

A proposal for the site was presented at the Monday Neighborhood Meeting (last night). There were two other proposals that didn't make the city cut. A married couple is proposing a wedding venue (150ish people) at the site to be called "Wild Carrot". It will initially be used for mostly weddings. They hope to use it as event space throughout the week as it grows for other functions such as movie nights, art showings, etc. There will be a 1200sf retail space in the back. hey are in talks with two potential renters for that space one of which is a fitness type company.

UIC is doing the design. It will be restored to its historical look which will be painted white. They want to install large windows on the 39th street side but that depends on cultural resources.

The couple has financing in place. Its approx. a $1.25 million renovation. They intend to live upstairs and really hope it is used as a community space.

Looks like a great project.

The SNIA board wrote a letter of approval for the project. The neighborhood meeting attendees gave the project unanimous approval.