This year marks the 79th anniversary of the Showbox opening it’s doors. Now, the Vancouver, B.C.-based Onni Group has announced their plans to demolish Showbox Market to build a 44-story tower. Plans for underground parking, commercial space, and 442 residential units have been revealed, according to the Daily Journal of Commerce.
Since 1939 the Showbox has been collecting a legacy of artists that have performed on that stage. Local artists dream about performing on that iconic stage; it’s a milestone to get booked there.
Preserving the historical legacy of this venue is our only hope. Jay Middleton created a petition on Change.org to make the Showbox at the Market a historical landmark.
Sign The Petition- Make Showbox a Historical Landmark
Not only does the venue itself hold significance for our thriving live music scene. But, the attached lounge, Kerns Music Shop is rich with history. It was founded in 1946 by local trombone player “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kerns who taught music lessons, rented and sold instruments. It quickly became the hub for local musicians. One of Kerns’s proudest moments was selling Seattle-native Quincy Jones his first horn, per historylink.org.
My heart hurts thinking about this iconic building being destroyed. I can’t fathom never attending a concert at this gorgeous venue again. I am begging everybody in our community, even those that don’t attend shows there, to come together and save this iconic building.
Let’s push these developers out and away from destroying our history, our culture, and the future of our artistically rich city.
