Cla-Zel Theatre

The Cla-Zel was recently purchased by local investors for $247,000 for restoration and use as independent movie theatre as well as live events.

The Cla-Zel is doing great. They're now running both first and second run shows, live comedy shows and performances, and the Rocky Horror show every Saturday night.

We recently traveled to Bowling Green, Ohio and saw this wonderful old theater. Then, we were surprised to see it again this week in the background as John Kerry campaigned in Bowling Green. The most remarkable thing to me is it's appearance seems more "preserved" than "restored." It is a cinema treasure. I sent a photograph to Cinema Treasures. Hopefully, they will post it eventually. Cheers to those responsible for keeping this theater going.

The Cla-Zel Theater is now a non-profit organization with tax-deductible memberships available. After much research, it appears that the Cla-Zel is the oldest continuously operating, single screen, first-run movie house in Ohio. Mr. Coles is correct that the theater is "preserved" instead of "restored", because the doors haven't been closed in 79 years! We welcome movie lovers and theater buffs 7 days a week....stop in and ask for a tour.

Just recently an article appeared in the Bowling Green newspaper that the Cla-Zel theater is no longer showing movies. The theater is still open and hosts live shows with community theater groups,local school events and there are even weddings scheduled there as I understand. The theater is also used during the Black Swamp Art Festival for concert events. The Clazel is still well taken care of and is really a source of pride for Bowling Green. By the way, the name comes from the names of the original owners, {Cla}-rk and Ha-{zel} Young. The first movie I saw there was a "B" movie, kind of a Jaws wannabe back in the mid '70's

Marquee photo:

http://www.mass-dist.com/DME/pictures/marquee/Cla-Zel%20Theater.jpg

Here is a night view of the Cla-Zel Theater.

This is another photo of the CLA-ZEL Theater.

A 2007 photo of the CLA-ZEL Theater can be seen here.

The Cla-Zel was operated by the Armstrong Circuit in 1963. This company had a strong presence in Ohio as they also operated theaters in Fostoria, Maumee, Napoleon, Toledo, Defiance, Port Clinton, Millbury, Carey, Fremont, Mansfield, Upper Sandusky and Bellevue.

A Marr & Colton theater organ was installed in the CLA-ZEL Theater in 1926.

The Cla-Zel has been purchased by a group of investors who plan to create "an upscale entertainment facility" featuring a bar and live music. A newspaper article can be viewed at:
http://www.sentinel-tribune.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=14458&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1895&hn=sentinel-tribune&he=.com

Another photo of the Cla-Zel can be seen here.

Here is an article from June 30th 2008 about plans for the Cla-Zel:

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/NEWS17/806300331

The Cla-Zel reopened in November 2008 with a re-designed interior and refurbished marquee. The sloped floor has been removed and the venue is now on two levels, with a bar and seating near the entrance and a smaller bar and large dancefloor on the lower level by the stage. The majority of the original architecture and fittings have been restored, with new additions very sympathetic to the original design.

It is currently open Wed-Sun and operates as Club Encore on Thursday's, Friday's and Saturday's, and will begin hosting live music in January or February 2009.

Great Eastern Theatre Co. took over operation of the Cla-Zel Theatre in 1987, according to an item in Boxoffice Magazine's November issue that year. The former operator, Armstrong Theatres, had gone out of business. On assuming operation, Great Eastern refurbished the Cla-Zel with new carpets, a new sound system, and other embellishments.

Great Eastern took over Armstrong's Maumee Theatre at the same time.

Here is the website for Club Encore.

Here is a 1975 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cwawxn

There was also a State Theatre in Bowling Green, does anyone have information on the State?

I saw the photo of the State Theater Chuck, but I don't have any information on it.

1982 Photo

Thanks LM, I have it written down and will keep looking. I had found another photo with the address below the picture and clicked to enlarge it and hit the X and lost it. Now I can't find it again.

LOL That happens to me alot.

There is a Lyric Theater listed in 1955 for Bowling Green, Ohio with a location given as East Wooster Street. I wonder if Lyric is another name for the State Theater.

Are your trying to fluster me? LOL now I have two theatre names to look for.

Look at it this way, if both names belong to the same theater, your really only searching for one theater. Let me know if that makes any sense. LOL

This is a 2008 photo.

LM, I got a reply from the Bowling Green Chamber with the following information, the Lyric Theatre was located at 138 E. Wooster, closed and demolished and is now a new building houseing a Steak House.
The State Theatre was located at 144 N. Main St., The building was completely gutted the front facade lowered and is now the Ben Franklin Craft Store. So there were two theatres besides the Cal-Zel.

Chuck....You should add the Lyric and State theaters. The Lyric dates back to at least 1930 and is listed in 1955 with 360 seats. I don't have any information about the State Theater.

A June 2007 night photo of the Cla-Zel Theatre courte4sy of Jim Rees.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83025347@N00/161087496/

If somebody adds the Lyric, there were apparently two of that name, both owned by Clark M. Young. The second Lyric was opened in 1935, and an item in Boxoffice of September 21, a few weeks before the new house opened, said that Young was naming it the Lyric after his old theater which had been dismantled.

I've been unable to find anything about the State Theatre. The Bowling Greens in Kentucky and Missouri each had a State Theatre, too, which muddies the search results.