In 1900, Thomas H. Spann of the John S. Spann & Company constructed this two-story brick building organized as three commercial stores on the first floor with three apartments above. The building was originally home to the Bargain Bazaar, which if you look closely at the ghost sign, or fading paint, above the main entrance, you can see the letters. 

Thomas worked in real estate, business, insurance, and development before becoming president of the John S. Spann & Co. firm, which Thomas’ father John founded in 1859. According to Thomas’ 1921 obituary, John S. Spann & Co. was the oldest real estate firm in the city at that time. As a life-long Indianapolis resident, Thomas left his mark on his community. He was described in his obituary as: “…Though he kept fully abreast of the times, and was proud of the Indianapolis of today, he yet represents to the old-timers at least, the little town of an older day and he carried forward something of its spirit of neighborliness into an era in which there is perhaps not enough of it.” 

Early twentieth century businesses of the Shelby Street building included Horuff’s Shoes, Fountain Grocery Co., Dr. Forshee’s Dentistry, paper cleaners, and a hat store. Around mid-century, W.J. Knieper Dentistry, a furniture store, and a barbershop occupied the space. In the 1980s, a Rent-a-Center was located on the first floor. Then in 1990, the site became Theatre on the Square, a non-profit, community facility which offered comedies, dramas, and musicals. Ron Spencer started the Theatre on the Square after working with Footlite Musicals, the Civic, and the Buck Creek Players. The theater sat between 100 to 160 people depending on the type of production on the first floor, with office space, dressing rooms, a shop for sets and costumes, and a space upstairs for cabaret-style productions. The theater’s first performance was “A Chorus Line.” 

The building was then occupied by Alrenco in 1997. From 2001-2003, Santorini’s Greek Kitchen was located here before they moved up to Prospect Street. After this, Deano’s Vino wine bar took over, then Pioneer restaurant and venue from 2015-2019, and finally Wine Market from 2020-2023. What might be next?

The larger pink structure along Shelby with the three sections illustrates 1110 Shelby Street – the smaller pink block structure directly north is the plaza today.
Credit: 1915 Sanborn Map, MapIndy, City of Indianapolis.

1110 Shelby Street is on the right edge of this 1915 photograph.
Credit: “May Day Celebration 1915,” The South Side Bulletin, Pamphlet Collection, Indiana Division, Indiana State Library, 1915.

Portrait of Thomas H. Spann.
Credit: “Solution of Cut-Up No. 2,” Indianapolis Star, February 28, 1904.

On the right side of the photograph is where the building’s outdoor patio is located today; photo looks south down Shelby Street.
Credit: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Collection