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By Ellen Shubart, Class of 2006

What better match for an architecture-oriented gift and book shop than a graduate of the college that is home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world? CAC’s new Design Shop Manager, Sam Bowling (as in the game), attended Florida Southern College, home of 13 Wright-designed buildings. Sam knew the Wright buildings intimately and was a tour guide while he was in school.

Bowling grew up in Fort Myers, Florida, literally on a beach and lived there until he was 21. He admits he had to get used to Chicago’s weather during the four years he’s lived here. But he says, “The seasons are for me. I’m enthralled by the orange foliage of the fall. The only two seasons in Florida are hot and hotter.”

He is not alone in fleeing the heat of Florida. His widowed father lives outside of Detroit while his sisters live in Dallas and Philadelphia. “Everyone fled Florida,” he says, while admitting that he misses the incredible sunsets of the South.

In college Bowling had two majors: organizational communications and acting. He says the latter offers a natural mix with CAC. While architecture is a different art, it, like acting, encourages creative activity.

Prior to coming to CAC, Bowling was a tour guide for The Chicago Theatre’s back stage tours and did full city bike tours. He got management experience at Urban Outfitters, a fashion clothing retailer. As a result, he brings comprehensive information about the city to bear on his work in the shop. Bowling admits that this is an “interesting time” for the shop, with a new manager. But because he has experience both in retail and tourism, he considers it a perfect cross-over skill set. He knows logistics and he know his audience. Sam began his new job just before the 2021 holiday season.

Bowling aims to make the store “our own,” meaning a shop that represents the CAC, not a mimic of other museums’ stores. He wants it to be colorful and exciting.  He sees his role as bringing in revue as well as promoting the mission of CAC. He expects to include sales offerings that link with tours and exhibits. Next up–items geared to the Girls Build! Event.

Bowling notes that non-Chicagoans seek items that are different – something about Chicago that is beyond a Millennium Park snow globe, as he says. Instead, he might guide tourists to the Tiffany collection – from window decals to scarves. Chicagoans, on the other hand, are looking for gifts for others who love Chicago. For them, he recommends books – less guidebook and more in-depth content. He envisions the shop carrying “way more” books and is adding more now that the holidays are over.

During the recent holiday season, Bowling said the fastest sales were those that were “kitchy”000humorous, whimsical, unique. “We sold out on those.” He cites CTA-related items, like the umbrella, and a selection of jewelry – “eccentric, bright colors, things you could wrap it up for under the tree.”

Bowling was also a shopper; his Christmas presents for his family were bought at the shop. His father received one of the Frank Lloyd Wright puzzles.

Now in what Bowling characterizes as the “slow season,” he is working on building up inventory. His goals include: focusing on online shopping and shipping; continuing to make sure the products are well displayed and the mannikins are wearing popular items; keeping tabs on the store’s traffic flow – “does it make sense in your brain?” as you walk through.

An avid biker, Bowling rides even when it’s cold and not just along the Lakefront Path; he goes into the city proper. He also fixes bikes, “taking care of a lot of rusted chains” for others. Sam lives in Uptown and hopes, eventually, to bike to work. Out of the shop, Bowling loves live-music and frequents the Riviera and Vic theaters. He and his friends to support local artists and favor hip-hop, rap, and jazz.

Looking at the city, Bowling calls the St. Regis Tower his favorite building. “It’s gorgeous,” he says, citing the curves from the glass placement and the blow-through floor of architect Jeanne Gang’s creation. “It’s not only new and flashy, but it encompasses great ideas of Chicago architecture.”

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