Endangered History: S. High Antique Mall threatened with demolition

A part of Columbus history is in danger of demolition and needs your help to be saved.

The Greater Columbus Antique Mall located at 1045 S. High St. in the Brewery District could be leveled to make way for a drive-thru restaurant.

The owners of the 1889 Victorian Eclectic Italianate is looking to sell.

Fortunately, the developer, Jared Schiff of Schiff Properties, has asked that the application be tabled and will not be presenting plans or seek approval for demolition at the next Brewery District Commission Meeting on Thursday, July 5 at 6pm.

Instead, this meeting is open to any and all advocates to come and state their case to save the building.

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If you’ve got post-July 4th plans, advocates are encouraged to email their remarks to Cristin Moody, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer, at camoody@columbus.gov.

Before it became an antique mall in 1979, it was owned by a soap and candle making Bavarian immigrant.

Then, it switched hands to a family member in 1924 and became Woodyard Funeral Home, and later Hughes Funeral Home.

The building was then an Elks Lodge from 1952 through the 1970s.

Fun fact: It is said to be haunted by a “gentleman with the handlebar mustache” thought to be the original owner or an embalmer during the building’s funeral home days.