Re: [Leica] Chicago shops

["Bill Christensen" <williamc@speedsite.com>]

IMHO, the two best stores in Chgo are Central Camera at 232 S. Wabash (west
side of the road beneath the train tracks).  Central is not the most modern
store in appearance but the sales staff is friendly.  Ask for either Joe,
the manager, or Don, the owner.  For Leica, Central is the best in the
downtown area.  Calumet, on Cherry St, is great for studio and darkroom
equipment but has just a few Leica items in stock.

One other large store, Helix, is located about 1mile west of the downtown
area and has a good stock of Leica equipment.  I am not the greatest fan of
Helix (310 S. Racine) based upon my friends' and my own direct experience
there.  All 3 stores have web sites.

If you are in Chgo from the second week of Feb through early March, you may
wish to stop by the Catherine Edelmann Gallery on Superior, which will
feature Michael Kenna's recent images.

Enjoy the Windy City!

Bill Christensen




- ----- Original Message -----
From: <Disfromage@aol.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 9:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Chicago shops


>
> In a message dated 2/1/01 6:14:51 PM, C.R.Marshall@uwsp.edu writes:
>
> << I will be in Chicago next month and I hope to find some time to browse
some
>
> camera shops. Any suggestions? >>
>
> C.R.
> I would second Alastair Firkin's suggestion of Central Camera, It's about
the
> last of the old fashioned camera shops in Chicago.  They generally have a
> reasonable stock of used Leica M gear-no bargains though.  The 2 largest
> stores near downtown are Helix on Racine Street (3 floors of everything
from
> point and shoots to pro gear), and Calumet on Cherry Street.  It is their
> main location in this country and whatever is in the catalog is generally
in
> stock in the warehouse that adjoins the showroom.  I do most of my
shopping
> at Calumet as it's on my way to work and the people are nice.  I hope this
> helps.
> Richard Wasserman
>