9. Columbia City Gallery, 4916 Rainier Avenue S:

The Columbia City Gallery occupies the front of the former Columbia Theater, opened in 1923. In order to meet zoning requirements that stipulated that theaters (along with other morally suspect enterprises) be located a safe distance from schools, the theater's auditorium was built across the backs of the adjacent buildings. Patrons passed through Carroll's Sweet Shop to get to the movie screen in the back. The Columbia City Gallery occupies the storefront now, and the theater's auditorium is in use as a recording studio. The Columbia City Ale House has replaced the Columbia Café, shown in the historic photograph from the 1930s.

Courtesy Glenn Drosendahl

Courtesy Rainier Valley Historical Society