Reason #3 - Preserves a historic downtown building - Top 10 reasons why the Madden Arts Center is a vital part of downtown Decatur

Ten years after the Madden Arts Center began its role as a community arts center, we have compiled a list of the top 10 reasons why it is a vital part of downtown Decatur.  I’m addressing these reasons in a series of posts as the Decatur Area Arts Council gears up for events celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Madden Arts Center in August 2014

Reason #3 - Preserves a Historic Downtown Building

Since being transformed into the Madden Arts Center in 2004, the building at 125 N. Water St. has become a hub of activity in downtown Decatur.  Every month, on average 1,000 people pass through our doors on their way to a gallery show, class, meeting, or performance.

Built in 1902 by wealthy clothing businessman John Race,  a number of businesses have come and gone at this location, including jewelers, opticians, a beauty school, and a variety of clothing retailers.  If you stand back and look at the architecture, you can see that the buildings at 125 and 131 N. Water St. are actually two halves of the same structure.  Over the years, much of the building has been vacant.  Most of the time, the upper floors were vacant.  In 1991, Theatre 7, Decatur’s community theatre, purchased the northern half of the building.  This was one of the reasons the Arts Council chose to buy the southern half of the building.  The idea that these two organizations could potentially be the beginning of an arts district in downtown Decatur was very appealing, bringing new life to an aging structure.

There was one particularly successful business in the building’s history that seemed to defy the odds and became synonymous with outstanding service and quality merchandise at a reasonable price, Sam Loeb’s clothing store.

In 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression, Sam Loeb bought the Bright Brothers clothing store at 125 N. Water St.  Though he was only 23 years old, Loeb went on to run the store for 55 years, 1933-1988.

Lots of folks in Decatur have fond memories of shopping in Loeb’s store.  They remember not only the efficiency and knowledge of the staff, but their kindness and good nature.  Which was no doubt the secret to the store’s longevity.

Sam Loeb once said, “I feel about the business of downtown Decatur this way: businesses that have a good reputation and have built up a strong following over many years will be able to continue to flourish.”

We at the Decatur Area Arts Council are proud to continue this tradition of dedication and service to our community.  We are particularly proud that we can do it in a historic downtown building that has such a rich history.  While some buildings have given way to fire or the wrecking ball, 125 N. Water St. continues to thrive in the heart of our city as the Madden Arts Center.

Thanks,
Jerry Johnson
Executive Director
Decatur Area Arts Council