The old theater building is being used as a recording studio with practice and performance space for musical groups. The entrance on Hudson Street was formerly the back of the building. Above the door is a big sign that says "Columbia Theater."
The theater entrance ramp and adjacent area fronting Rainier Avenue has been turned into a cooperative artist’s gallery for local artists. Part of the old ramp has been cleverly included into the design of the gallery.

The brick building on the right looks about the same today as it did when the photo was taken in the 1930s.

After standing vacant for many years the exterior has been rejuvenated and the interior walls have been removed. The spacious interior has been completely remodeled for an Italian Deli, "Salumeria on Hudson" that just recently opened for business.
Actually it is more then just a deli. It is a café with either dine in or take out, a grocery and a kitchen tool shop and a wine shop, all rolled into one. A stairway leads to a partial balcony on the back wall.

The owners are Lisa Beckland and Sherri Serrino who also have the Italian restaurant, "La Medussa" in Columbia City. After lunch at the "Salumeria on Hudson" I would suggest a leisurely stroll through the Artist’s Gallery."

The building on the left, The Columbia Café, has recently been purchased by a local person and plans are under way for a complete remodel. His plans call for making it into a family oriented restaurant and meeting place.
The building has always been a restaurant with apartments above. In 1911 it was known as Hugh Mill’s Restaurant and the owners lived upstairs in one of the apartments. The rest of the upstairs rooms at various times were known as the Hotel Knohf, the Hotel Rutley, the Hotel Mayfield and the Hotel Whitfield.

The restaurant was known as Phil Knauf’s Restaurant, Mayfield’s Restaurant and also Fred’s Restaurant. About 1929 it became the Columbia Café and owner Fred (Fatty) Power’s card room, at the rear of the café, was converted to the Elbow Room.
Shortly before this photo was taken a sloping roof across the top of the building was removed. The new owners are considering restoring it to the original design.

These improvements on that one half block stretch along Rainier Avenue at Hudson Street are typical of the changes taking place in Columbia City as well as the entire Rainier Valley.