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Astrological premonition saves Bijou
posted by
Michael Zoldessy
on
February 15, 2007 at 4:34 am
BEACH, ND — On the recommendation of an astrologer, a couple moved to North Dakota and bought the closed Bijou Theatre.
The Bijou Theater in Beach will reopen next month and the new owners, with roots in England and the Chicago area, have dramatic plans for the vintage venue.
Emanuel Culman and his wife, Cheryl Planert, purchased the retro ‘40s movie hall, still decked in maroon and gold, from Margaret Walz, who lowered the curtain on the family enterprise in June due to lack of business.
Culman said the astrologer who told him the 48th parallel was a good zone for him narrowed the best opportunity for success and literary artistry to somewhere between Fort Peck, Mont., and Velva. There, roughly in the middle, is Beach, and their inquiries into the community were based on the chance purchase of a newspaper with a story of the Bijou Theater being for sale.
To read more, go to the Bismarck Tribune.
Comments (1)
Michael – Thanks for the posting. I am interested to learn how someone in Hollywood picked up a North Dakota story so quickly. We got great statewide coverage on our February 2, 2007, purchase of the Bijou which closed June, 2006.
The theatre, built in 1947, is sweet and with some simple but delightful touches. It needs lots of work and will be cared for over the coming years.
The current population of 1,200 are thrilled that the theatre will return to show movies. The stage is being designed and will be constructed very soon.
Beach is one mile east of the ND-MT border, one mile south of I-94, 21 miles west of Medora, where the Theodore Roosevelt Park south unit is located, and on the edge of the exquisite Badlands. Anyone interested in visiting and receiving the ten cent tour will do well to call ahead – 701-872-2444.
Emanuel