Media coverage:
- March 28, 2017 — Old Coca-Cola plant, former Varsity Theatre take Cornerstones honors, Columbia Missourian. A new program called Cornerstones of Columbia is being launched by Brent Gardner. The first two buildings to be honored are 17 N. Ninth St., which now houses The Blue Note, and 10 Hitt St., which now houses Ragtag Cinema, Uprise Bakery and Hitt Records.
- Richard King sells The Blue Note, Mojo’s — Columbia Daily Tribune, July 10, 2014.
- Richard King passes torch, sells The Blue Note, Mojo’s — Columbia Missouri, July 9, 2014.
Built in 1927, The Blue Note at 17 N. Ninth Street began life as the Varsity Theater.
In 1998, it became the first commercial building named to the Most Notable Properties List by the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission.
Feb. 19, 2010, Notable Properties: Historic Renovation Boosts Community Commerce, Columbia Business Times. This article outlines the commercial, economic benefits of historic renovation. Includes comments from one of the first commercial buildings to be named a Most Notable Property by the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission. The business owner, Richard King, operates The Blue Note, a thriving live music venue in an old historic theatre. The article includes a list of commercial properties on the Notable Properties List.
This is the only theatre in the district with both interior and exterior integrity according to historic documents. The building is also included in the North Ninth Street Historic District Jan. 21, 2004. It is Renaissance Revival style theatre style, per the Downtown Columbia Historic District NRHP form, http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/06000990.pdf.
