This is the ca. 1907 stone building that was home to Gallery Classic until our recent move to Forbes Field about five miles south.  Many older Topekans warmly remember having danced in the ballroom upstairs during the 1940′s and 50′s and happy stories are a part of the history of this very unique building.   There are approximately 10,000 sq. ft. and the structure was formerly home to a dairy barn, the White Lakes Golf Club clubhouse, a furniture store and offices for a building contractor.  We added the warehouse directly to the east of the main building in 2002 and closed this location in May 2011 when we made the decision to move the retail and wholesale under one roof in Forbes Field.  We’ll miss this old building but we have many, many fond memories of the old stone building on Topeka Blvd.

This photo shows the west entrance of the old stone building (the turret).  The architect of the building was from England and that’s why the building has a beautiful English tudor appearance.  The building is constructed of native Kansas Stone, stucco and cedar, and the windows are iron casement style.  The upstairs is still mostly original including the stained glass light fixtures, dance floor and stage where Tommy Dorsey and his band played in the l940′s.