Back when I was in college, I got my first taste of a classic theater that had been renovated into a current movie house (unless you count the Coronado, but I don’t because they don’t show movies there). The first time I went was with a few friends to see the limited release movie, Bubba Ho-Tep. It was showing at the Castle Theater in Bloomington, IL (here’s their site). The movie was good, but the experience was something amazing. Not only did we get the great architecture of the theater, it had been set-up so that there were comfortable couches and chairs. Also, there is a full service menu for food. The pizza we had was quite good. The experience sparked a love of classic theaters in me.
From that point on, the castle’s website was one I would check weekly. I found that they often showed more independent movies that I wanted to see. So, I started go to more movies there. Then towards the end of my college run, The Castle started showing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
The first night it was showing, I took the drive over. I was by myself, as I usually was when it came to movie watching in college. I parked and started walking to the theater. I noted that the temperature was nice and it was a lovely night out. I got my ticket and walked in. I soaked up the atmosphere of the theater and then the movie started. As you may know, ESOTSM is one of the greatest movies of all time; so, needless to say, I enjoyed the movie. The movie ended and I took my time walking back to my car. Enjoying every moment and reflecting on the movie. It was one of the best nights ever. All the things the movies are supposed to be.
Flash forward to today. I currently work at a bank that shares an intersection with a classic theater. The Polk Theater is another classic theater that shows movies as well as other venues through out the year. Most of the films they show are documentaries or small independent films. As anywhere, some of the films are good and some are bad, but to experience the greatness of a renovated theater like the Polk is always amazing.
Overall, I like the Polk a little better than the Castle. The Polk has a larger number of seats than the Castle, even though the Polk’s aren’t nearly as comfortable. The Polk’s architecture is more brilliant; it is similar to the Coronado in that it has a Mediterranean design with the stars in the ceiling. The Polk brings you back to the olden days of the theaters even further by playing an organ before the movie starts (they mix in some familiar songs from people like Elvis). Also, the Polk’s balcony is an absolute must. You get the best view in the house and the upper lobby is modeled so that it is new but it keeps the retro look. A very romantic area for movie freaks.
With these theaters sparking my imagination, I have often desired to renovate and reopen an old theater. Right now, I don’t have the resources (who does?) but somebody I’d really like to reopen a theater. I could be Jim Carey in The Majestic…except, you know, I would actually provide entertainment to people.
I have even gone as far as to look up theaters that have been closed on the internet. Cinematreasures.com is one of the websites I look at occasionally. I have actually found several possible options. The Times theater in Rockford, IL is one where it is currently closed and nothing is occupying the building. But I would need several things before leaping into the business.
I’d need a business plan that specifies if we were going to be non-profit (Ala The Polk) or for profit (ala The Castle) and how we would conduct business. I would have to look at the costs to renovate the building and operate the theater. I would have to develop a pricing and marketing strategy. I would have to take this information and decide whether the business could be profitable (or break even if non-profit).
Would it be worth it? For most people, it would not, but for me I have to think about it. I have work at theaters before and loved it. I have a deep love of movies. I’d like to provide entertainment to people (especially in an entertainment starved town like Rockford).
As it stands right now, my dream of owning a theater is on level with my dream of playing professional baseball. The difference here is that the time-line for accomplishing my feat is a lot longer which lets me work at it longer. The more work I can put in, the better prepared I will be. Maybe someday in the future, I’ll be standing at a ticket counter decked out in a suit greeting customers as they enter the theater.
Until then, I will continue to frequent other theaters and dream.
