I beg to differ about the Elinor. I worked for the Chicago Dept of Human Services for many years in the emergency shelter program. We would only place people in need of temporary housing there as a last resort, because of the unsavory clientele and activities which took place there. The liquor store is a magnet and certainly can’t be compared to a restaurant which serves liquor.
I still live in the area (Jefferson Park), so I know what I’m talking about.
If the church is looking at the former Belpark, they have the issue of a large liquor store and flophouse (transient hotel) directly across the street from the bingo hall. Maybe they can do outreach in the area.
You still also have the issue of a large liquor store and flophouse (transient hotel) directly across the street from the Belpark. Is this the kind of area that is going to attract folks who want to visit the theater?
It will be difficult to solicit funds for a privately owned for-profit venue. This is primarily because there are no tax write-off advantages for donors.
Rather than requesting donations, perhaps the owner of the theater should incorporate and sell shares to raise the funds to purchase digital equipment. Donations work best when there is a tax write-off from a non profit.
The Fox was recently featured on the opening season for “America’s Got Talent.” Nice shots of the exterior and interior as people arrived for auditions for the reality show.
I think that other considerations are also at play here. Like the cost of digital conversion and the city wanting to get out of the movie theater business.
A liquor license for a restaurant can mean the difference between breaking even or making money. Many people enjoy a drink with their meal, so why not?
The exterior of this theater shows up in the new Geico commercial about the gecko ventroliquist. Not sure if the auditorium shots are from the theater, but there are a few organ chords thrown in at the end.
If you look 2 blocks down the street to the fire department building, the alley side of the structure definitely appears to have been a theater at one time. Must be an address issue with Google.
Actually, West Town streetcars crossed Austin Boulevard at Lake Street on March 30, 1947, using temporary rails. This was due to the abandonment of West Town streetcar service and the only way the cars could reach the Suburban carbarn in North Riverside was over the tracks of the Chicago Transit Authority’s carlines.
Not only will it remove a cultural icon, it will also take the property off the tax rolls. Not a good thing for a city needing all the revenue it can get.
Reread Broan’s comments above. ‘Nuff said.
I beg to differ about the Elinor. I worked for the Chicago Dept of Human Services for many years in the emergency shelter program. We would only place people in need of temporary housing there as a last resort, because of the unsavory clientele and activities which took place there. The liquor store is a magnet and certainly can’t be compared to a restaurant which serves liquor.
I still live in the area (Jefferson Park), so I know what I’m talking about.
A “Friends of Bonham” organization has been set up to raise funds to purchase digital projection equipment. See the website for details.
If the church is looking at the former Belpark, they have the issue of a large liquor store and flophouse (transient hotel) directly across the street from the bingo hall. Maybe they can do outreach in the area.
You still also have the issue of a large liquor store and flophouse (transient hotel) directly across the street from the Belpark. Is this the kind of area that is going to attract folks who want to visit the theater?
The vertical sign was recently featured on an episode of “House Hunters” on HGTV.
It would have been nice to mention that this Arboretum was a shopping center. I had envisioned a wooded nature preserve.
Now officially named “Movies 16”.
The theater’s website indicates that they are now trying to raise money to purchase digital projection equipment.
According to the website, this theater is now closed.
It will be difficult to solicit funds for a privately owned for-profit venue. This is primarily because there are no tax write-off advantages for donors.
Rather than requesting donations, perhaps the owner of the theater should incorporate and sell shares to raise the funds to purchase digital equipment. Donations work best when there is a tax write-off from a non profit.
The Fox was recently featured on the opening season for “America’s Got Talent.” Nice shots of the exterior and interior as people arrived for auditions for the reality show.
There is a photo of the Goetz Junior on the Goetz Theater website in the “Images Old” section.
http://tinyurl.com/7lbyozk
I think that other considerations are also at play here. Like the cost of digital conversion and the city wanting to get out of the movie theater business.
A liquor license for a restaurant can mean the difference between breaking even or making money. Many people enjoy a drink with their meal, so why not?
The exterior of this theater shows up in the new Geico commercial about the gecko ventroliquist. Not sure if the auditorium shots are from the theater, but there are a few organ chords thrown in at the end.
If you look 2 blocks down the street to the fire department building, the alley side of the structure definitely appears to have been a theater at one time. Must be an address issue with Google.
As long as people continue to support Wally World by shopping there, there’s not much anyone can do about its increasing presence.
Actually, West Town streetcars crossed Austin Boulevard at Lake Street on March 30, 1947, using temporary rails. This was due to the abandonment of West Town streetcar service and the only way the cars could reach the Suburban carbarn in North Riverside was over the tracks of the Chicago Transit Authority’s carlines.
The exterior of this theater is featured in the 2011 “Muppets” movie.
I agree completely. Sometimes I have to dig to find out where the theater is located in these stories.
Not only will it remove a cultural icon, it will also take the property off the tax rolls. Not a good thing for a city needing all the revenue it can get.
The Google view has it right. It’s the tall building in the center.
The CBS show “48 Hours Mystery” had a shot of the theater marquee in a recent show.