The Rodgers was closed by Kerasotes Theatres at the end of business on May 14, 1998. The theater was replaced by the Showplace 8 that would open the very next day.
The Grand was finally sold to a new owner, from Texas, back in August.
DU QUOIN – It would appear that the Grand Theater in Du Quoin sold at auction Thursday.
Mayor Guy Alongi said the word he received was that a buyer located in Texas purchased the building from Regions Bank for $5,000. The name of the buyer has yet to be disclosed.
The bank previously offered to donate the building to the city, but the city refused, citing high repair costs.
“I just want this to be a positive for Du Quoin,” Alongi said. “I hope this buyer has deep pockets and a vision for this building.”
The iconic structure, located on Main Street, has been in disrepair for the last few years. Shows at The Grand were last seen nearly three years ago at the theater (Sept. 15, 2015).
Alongi said a feasibility study was conducted by the city to learn what it would cost to make the necessary renovations and said the cost was too great to tackle.
“It would be close to $1 million,” he said. “And we just can’t justify that kind of expenditure to the taxpayers of this community. Maybe in Carbondale or Marion, but not here.”
The mayor said he is deeply concerned about dilapidated structures in town and how they impact the community. He said The Grand, along with the Elks Lodge, are at the top of the list of buildings needing to be fixed up or demolished, the mayor said.
Alongi added that he would like to meet the buyer and have a conversation with him, offering the city’s support where needed.
The Grand Theater, which opened in 1914 with 900 seats, is one of the last of the small-town Art Deco-style movie houses left in Illinois.
Jeffrey Ashauer, who consults with the city on economic development, said the building’s roof is in pretty bad shape and would have to be replaced. He added that a portion of the north end of the building would have to be demolished and a new wall put up.
Without someone coming forward to repair it, the building is also at risk of becoming a danger to the public, Ashauer added.
“The north third of the building is in danger of falling in,” he said. “If bricks start falling on the sidewalk, we’ll have to condemn it.”
Ashauer added that the initial $1 million outlay would be just the beginning. New theater seats would also be needed, and would cost about $70,000.
Acquired by Kerasotes Theatres in September 1968.
Closed at the beginning of September, 1984. “Flashpoint” was the final movie shown.
Closed December 10, 1999.
The Rodgers was closed by Kerasotes Theatres at the end of business on May 14, 1998. The theater was replaced by the Showplace 8 that would open the very next day.
Theater later became a church, SouthPoint Church, not long after closing.
Expanded to 12 screens January 19, 1990.
Kerasotes Theatres took over ownership of the Toler Cinema on June 19, 1986.
That very screen was recently donated to the Rodgers Theatre in Poplar Bluff.
http://www.kfvs12.com/video/2023/07/18/cape-broadway-theater-screen-donated-poplar-bluff-theater/
This very screen was recently donated to the Rodgers Theatre in Poplar Bluff.
http://www.kfvs12.com/video/2023/07/18/cape-broadway-theater-screen-donated-poplar-bluff-theater/
Twinned in 1982.
Now a Harbor Freight Tools store.
The Princess in fact survived the tornado unscathed. It was back in operation a few weeks afterwards
Demolished in December 2010.
Google lists the theater as “Permanently Closed”. After 35 years of operation the end has come for the St. Clair 10.
Became the Southbrook 7 on February 16, 1979.
Some Historical Facts about the Illinois Theatre:
First opened in 1922 as a Vaudeville Theatre.
First movie house in town to show “Talkies” in 1925.
In 1976 BAC renovated the building in blue and silver at a cost of $250,00. It was also at this time the Illinois became a twin.
In 1980 Kerasotes bought the building and operated it as a movie theatre until December 2001.
Monty Python’s “Life of Brian” played here in October 1979.
Total seating was 956.
This drive in was open till at least 1977.
Simplex XL projector. Simplex SH-1000 soundhead, Christie H-10 1000 watt xenon lamphouse.
Potts (pre-Alpha) platter. Projectors are either Super Simplex or E-7’s. Christie H-10 1000 watt xenon lamphouses.
Potts Alpha A-3 platter.
Simplex XL projector, Simplex SH-1000 soundhead.
New website on the Grand’s restoration process:
http://grand-duquoin.com/
The Grand was finally sold to a new owner, from Texas, back in August.
DU QUOIN – It would appear that the Grand Theater in Du Quoin sold at auction Thursday.
Mayor Guy Alongi said the word he received was that a buyer located in Texas purchased the building from Regions Bank for $5,000. The name of the buyer has yet to be disclosed.
The bank previously offered to donate the building to the city, but the city refused, citing high repair costs.
“I just want this to be a positive for Du Quoin,” Alongi said. “I hope this buyer has deep pockets and a vision for this building.”
The iconic structure, located on Main Street, has been in disrepair for the last few years. Shows at The Grand were last seen nearly three years ago at the theater (Sept. 15, 2015).
Alongi said a feasibility study was conducted by the city to learn what it would cost to make the necessary renovations and said the cost was too great to tackle.
“It would be close to $1 million,” he said. “And we just can’t justify that kind of expenditure to the taxpayers of this community. Maybe in Carbondale or Marion, but not here.”
The mayor said he is deeply concerned about dilapidated structures in town and how they impact the community. He said The Grand, along with the Elks Lodge, are at the top of the list of buildings needing to be fixed up or demolished, the mayor said.
Alongi added that he would like to meet the buyer and have a conversation with him, offering the city’s support where needed.
The Grand Theater, which opened in 1914 with 900 seats, is one of the last of the small-town Art Deco-style movie houses left in Illinois.
Jeffrey Ashauer, who consults with the city on economic development, said the building’s roof is in pretty bad shape and would have to be replaced. He added that a portion of the north end of the building would have to be demolished and a new wall put up.
Without someone coming forward to repair it, the building is also at risk of becoming a danger to the public, Ashauer added.
“The north third of the building is in danger of falling in,” he said. “If bricks start falling on the sidewalk, we’ll have to condemn it.”
Ashauer added that the initial $1 million outlay would be just the beginning. New theater seats would also be needed, and would cost about $70,000.
http://www.carbondaletimes.com/news/20180823/du-quoins-grand-theater-sells-at-auction