Few people realize it today, but when Sandborn Woods renovated the old Chevy Body Shop at Warren and High St. in 1986 it was the first increase in Short North storefronts in decades.
This whole block was made up of Auto service businesses. The Body Shop was a two story garage that had been turned over to Ohio Auto Electric when the car dealers left the Short North. By renovating and turning it into 7 first floor storefronts and an equal number upstairs, the Short North found more places for art galleries and other businesses a feat that wasn't repeated until 1994 when the Victorian Gate apartments opened.
The Body Shop businesses have come and gone frequently over the years.
Nicolae had opened a compliment to its Grandview Heights gallery in the corner space called Nicolae De Figaro which ended in 1988 with a show of Paris art posters from the late 19th century. Nicolae moved his gallery to the Short North later in two different spaces bringing famous artists like Peter max to town. Augie's was one of several art and interior design businesses. There was even a lingerie shop in the beginning.
The Body Shop
retained its parking lot infront of the storefronts. This became the scene of several sculptural displays, band concerts, and even fashion shows. Galleries included Art for Community Expressions, a long running non-profit for African American artists, RoyGBiv Gallery which opened first in the Body Shop in 1989, C.R. Obetz Gallery which first opened in an upstairs space, and several other art businesses over the years.
In the early days the front of the Body Shop was bright and exciting.
I don't know if the first show at OSU's new Urban Arts Space needed to open in February, all I know is that the building just isn't ready for an art gallery, yet. The gallery occupies the lowest level of the Rich St and High St. corner of the former Lazarus Building downtown. You can look into the newly revealed windows of the building (Lazarus had covered most of its windows decades ago) and there is a sign pointing down Rich St to the apparent door of the gallery. However, I couldn't find a way into the gallery. The door immediately next to the sign lead to a stairway with signs saying it was a "Hard Hat Area", but nothing about the gallery. On down is a new huge atrium over the former alley with public service offices. The gallery entrance might be from the atrium, but there is a huge empty space inbetween that you can see from the street. 
The Atrium is approached from Rich St. but it is currently torn-up for utility work. The former Lazarus is a huge building covering 3/4th of a city block 5 stories high. They are doing a great job bringing it back to life, but it seems way too soon to bring in art. With its connection to the City Center Mall it would be nice to dream that all the art galleries in town could move down here. You would have year round protection from weather and connection to theaters.
