Portage Theatre
4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60641
4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60641
38 people
favorited this theater
Showing 201 - 215 of 215 comments
You are a smart man, Ken. It does take a village to save a theatre!
I am aware of the past tribulations you encountered. I’ve been in the area for awhile. (I used to actually go to the Portage to see movies).
The United States is a very young country, (200+ years), and tearing down our architectural past certainly doesn’t help preserve any cultural threads. I only wish I had the vision to see a viable option. I would love to support a creative, community-enriching solution. Coming up with one isn’t my strong point.
With Regards,
Ken Janssen
To Life’s Too Short & Ken Janssen: I agree. Before we took it over, it WAS a pigsty! I should know: I ran the Portage Park Theatre for a year. The owners were well intentioned but did not know the game. The city did NOT help us at all. They put every imaginable obstacle in our way. The neighbors really wanted us to open and tried to help. Chicago is still a great city BUT its bureacracy brings it down. Some structures should be saved and some should be considered for other purposes. Turning a profit IS the American Way but some of us try to save the old and make a living.
And when we have a CVS on every corner, we will complain how boring
our neigborhoods have become. Surely, there is a more creative solution/use for an old theater. Does it need to be a theater? Maybe not. Does it need to be an overpriced pharmacy, selling trinkets, and junk? I hope not.
Can every old structure be saved? No. Should every old structure be preserved? Probably not. But some thought needs to be given to the solution. Turning a profit for a few, while saddling a community with something it really doesn’t need, isn’t very creative.
I saw a movie here in the 90’s. It was a dump while it was still running…smelling, dark, musty, dirty. No vintage decoration remaining, that I could see. It sounds like it has gotten worse. Is this place really worth the effort? Why not put energy toward the Patio…not far away. That’s a bona-fide movie palace, with one screen, in great shape, and an uncertain future.
Preservation efforts should be focused and intelligent. Battles must be chosen wisely. The Gateway is down Milwaukee Avenue a few blocks…a functioning vintage screen in great shape. How many old theaters can Jefferson Park support, and how many millions would it take to fix the Portage up? Chicago preservationists have more important things to worry about…the Uptown, the New Regal, the Patio, the Ramova. The best remaining part of the Portage is the exterior. I wouldn’t think twice if CVS dropped a drug store inside the auditorium.
The old Portage is a mess inside. A church that rented it left is a disaster. Both screens are down. What project are you working on? Ask to see it first! Call the Jenny the building manager. Her phone number is on a note in the window of the theatre. You should be able to rent it for a few hundred a day. Make sure you have an insurance certificate. If you have trouble, e-mail me.
Does anyone know what it will cost to rent out the theatre for 2 days?If someone could help that would be great!
Magnum is the security company that rents space in the store to the south of the theatre. I know that a church had a lease but messed up with the zoning. It appears the old landlords took back the theatre as Perl is listed on the title of the building.
Just drove by the Portage Park yesterday and noted that inside the doors of the Portage Park hangs a sign for Goldberg and Perl Inc, (773-477-9700), advertising the theatre is for lease.
A bit more curious is the marquee stating “THIS SIGN IS FOR RENT” and also “MAGNUM SECURITY 773 205 7700” — see a photo while it is still on Magnum’s website at: http://www.magnumsi.com/images/employment.jpg
What the heck?
I drove by the Portage theatre on May 22,2004 and it’s definitely not open for business.
As I understand it, plans to reopen the theatre are currently on hold, with no anticipated reopening date. However, if you’d like to get the latest news regarding the theatre, add your name to the mailing list at the following webpage: http://www.portagetheater.com
I tried calling 773-202-1010, and there was no connection. Is the theater still open? I’m hoping the 6-corners can be revitalized into what Lincoln Square has become. With the influx of new home building in Portage, and Irving Park, there is no reason why this area couldn’t support such a reatail/entertainment area. I know my neighbors, and myself, are tired of having to leave our neighborhood to shop (books, clothes, music, housewares, think Crate and Barrel) dine, Chipotle Grille? and entertainment. Living in the city should afford the opportunity to walk to such amenities.
I support you Paul!!!!
Keep the beauty of this theatre alive!!!
Good luck with the city!!!
God bless you and our neighborhood treasure!
It’s the only thing we have left….(so to speak)
Good Luck Paul!!!
Thank you!
I am the new owner of the Portage Park Theatre. We opened on October 23, 2003 with an original Murder Mystery called,‘ Murder at the Poratge Casino!“ We are showing American Cinema Classics on the silver screen. Our first film was "Gone With the Wind.” Call (773) 202-1010 for information and showtimes.
The Portage Theater in Chicago is not closed down; it is still in operation.