Kent Theatre
220 S. State Street,
South Whitley,
IN
46787
220 S. State Street,
South Whitley,
IN
46787
1 person
favorited this theater
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Don and Vi LeBrun, the original owners, were the most wonderful people you could meet.Don usually hand painted his own posters to save money!
The previous owner was raised originally in South Whitley and after college found himself in CA. He visited his hometown, saw that the theatre was for sale in ‘05, and bought it on a whim, hoping that he could relocate. However, due to the economy he was not able to. He put the theatre up for sale and it sold briskly. The theatre is still open and operating as a movie theatre on most days, and a church on sunday mornings. The new owners are D. Mark and Michelle Pratt. Still the best deal on movies around that area.
That’s really too bad, pentagroup. It’s heartbreaking to hear of yet another cherished theatre closing down.
This theatre gas indeed sold in April, 2009. Sold quickly in fact. No problem with booking movies, no lack of interest or customers. Owner had to relocate primary business and residence. Distance became a challenge which could not be resolved. Great little theatre.
1987 Photo
ECR….I haven’t found any other movie theaters for South Whitley. This might be the only game in town. If true, that would make it even more puzzling to me that this theater is being sold again. Maybe they have problems booking movies.
Could be that there is a multiplex not to far from it and they are having a hard time making it with only showing one current run a week. It says on the web site they are trying to get a synching platter system so that they can run more then one move a week. I guess they can have 2 movies and alternate the show times. I would love to see a little place like this.
I don’t know if there are other theaters located in South Whitley. This is the only one listed here for South Whitley. This theater was sold in 2005 and is on the market again. Lack of customers or just lack of interest by the local residents?
It’s a shame that even a 225 seat theatre is having hard times making it.
This theater would be closer to Brooklyn, Michigan. LOL
I’ll keep an eye open for photos of the NY Academy of Music.
I went to the official web site and saw the following:
FOR SALE:
The Kent Theatre is for sale!
For more information about this unique opportunity, please contact the owner at (951) 674-1159 or , the theatre at (260) 723-5231 or Bob Koontz at (260) 609-6667. Please, serious inquiries only.
You da man Lost. Now if you can only find some pictures of the NY Academy of Music. I have been looking all over the web and there is hardly a thing. And here I thought this was a Kent theatre update in Brooklyn. LOL
This is an updated link to the photo posted in the first comment above.
Here is the website for the Kent Theater. The website gives the year built as 1947 and current seating is 225. Phone: 260.723.5231
first run movie theatre. american colonial architecture. architect was Irvin G. Fredricks in Chicago. $3.25 for seniors and students with id. please email and we will be happy to attach photo.
the Kent Theatre has been purchased by Mark and Cynthia Minick. It remains open. Ticket prices are $4.00, matinees are $3.00, and $3.00 for student with id. Donald Lebrun originally built the theatre in 1936 and operated it for over 50 years. The basement used to be a firing range.
This is supposed to be a photo of the Kent Theater in South Whitley.