According to the website, it appears that the costs of digital conversion were too much for a small town operation to absorb. After closing on Sept 15, the closest movie house after the Center closes will be 26 miles away, and the closest multiplex a 47 mile drive. Given the severity of Wisconsin winters, a lot of streaming is going to be happening in the local homes.
In addition to the regular population, Ferris State University has an enrollment of over 14,000 students plus faculty and staff. Certainly a good number to support 2 theatres in this city. Big Rapids is also a summer tourist destination which brings more folks into the area.
There have been a number of articles in the New York press about this theatre closing sometime this summer. With nothing scheduled past August 29 that might be the case here.
From the recently posted photos, the theatre is certainly still in reasonable outside condition without any graffiti. It might not be for sale or lease because of a non-compete condition attached to it.
I just uploaded a recent picture of the marquee showing damage from being hit by trucks on the corners. The City of Chicago has inspected it and found that it was not a hazard to pedestrians or traffic at this time.
The City f Stevens Point has issued a raze order for the theatre. The latest plan of the Group Create is to “save” the theatre by doing a facadectomy. They propose tearing down everything behind the front and attaching a new building to the backside.https://www.wsaw.com/content/news/Historic-Commission-asks-raze-order-rescinded-for-Fox-Theater-526393821.html
I see from the posted photos that sometime after 2012, vertical posts were added to the front of the marquee. Perhaps additional support ordered by the city for safety reasons.
Lou Wolf was a good friend of the owner of a West Side business I worked at in the 1960s. Whenever he would come around, everybody would literally hide, he was so creepy.
This theatre is now a church, called the “Heritage Church.”
Great pictorial and history of this gem. https://tilesinnewyork.blogspot.com/2014/02/movie-palaces-part-1-loews-valencia.html
The marquee of this theatre showed up prominently in a crime documentary aired yesterday on the ID cable channel. Very brightly lit at night.
According to the website, it appears that the costs of digital conversion were too much for a small town operation to absorb. After closing on Sept 15, the closest movie house after the Center closes will be 26 miles away, and the closest multiplex a 47 mile drive. Given the severity of Wisconsin winters, a lot of streaming is going to be happening in the local homes.
Brutus the Bulldog is the mascot for Ferris State, hence the theatre name.
In addition to the regular population, Ferris State University has an enrollment of over 14,000 students plus faculty and staff. Certainly a good number to support 2 theatres in this city. Big Rapids is also a summer tourist destination which brings more folks into the area.
I added a color picture from the 1940s showing the marquee and a streetcar.
I added a mid-1940s picture to the Photos section.
Past and present pictures posted in Photos
There have been a number of articles in the New York press about this theatre closing sometime this summer. With nothing scheduled past August 29 that might be the case here.
From the recently posted photos, the theatre is certainly still in reasonable outside condition without any graffiti. It might not be for sale or lease because of a non-compete condition attached to it.
this theatre is getting deeper into the indie film market with the departure of Sundance from the scene. In-depth article here.
https://madison.com/ct/entertainment/movies/arthouse-on-a-budget-at-market-square-shifts-focus-toward/article_9ce70f26-ad49-58f7-bd14-5dbe15630e9d.html
I just uploaded a recent picture of the marquee showing damage from being hit by trucks on the corners. The City of Chicago has inspected it and found that it was not a hazard to pedestrians or traffic at this time.
1946 picture posted in Photos section. The Winter Garden is in the background, not sure about theatre in front. Rivoli maybe?
1959 picture added to Photos section
The City f Stevens Point has issued a raze order for the theatre. The latest plan of the Group Create is to “save” the theatre by doing a facadectomy. They propose tearing down everything behind the front and attaching a new building to the backside.https://www.wsaw.com/content/news/Historic-Commission-asks-raze-order-rescinded-for-Fox-Theater-526393821.html
Picture from the late 1930s uploaded to Photos section.
I see from the posted photos that sometime after 2012, vertical posts were added to the front of the marquee. Perhaps additional support ordered by the city for safety reasons.
Status should be open. Occasionally used for special events there. Phone #269-731-4952
The marquee of this theatre was shown on a crime documentary “Impact of Murder” on the Investigation Discovery channel.
Known as Midwest Movies 11 at Mill Run. Website: https://movies11.us/
I just added pictures of the lobby in the Photos section.
Website: https://www.floridaswapshop.com/lake-worth
Website: https://livingdramatheatre.com/ According to the website, classic films will also be screened.
Lou Wolf was a good friend of the owner of a West Side business I worked at in the 1960s. Whenever he would come around, everybody would literally hide, he was so creepy.