Mission, KS - Mission Theatre building on Johnson Drive to reopen as wedding and event space after renovation

posted by ThrHistoricalSociety on July 26, 2016 at 3:49 pm

From the Shawnee Mission Post: The historic Mission Theatre building on Johnson Drive will reopen later this summer as a wedding venue, according to the owners who are in the process of rehabbing the building.

The building has not been used as a movie theatre for a number of years. The renovation of the building started last fall. Main Street Events, an events management company now owns the property and intends to open it for weddings and other events when the renovation is complete.

”It’s such a privilege to be right in the heart of Mission, Kansas in an iconic building,” said Kip Unruh, owner of Main Street Events along with his wife, in a release. “It seems like every day people stop by to express their appreciation for the investment and work we are doing to restore this building and bring it back to life.”

The theatre was built in 1938. Unruh said the renovation has tried to preserve as much of the past as possible. “I loved tearing into this building which was one of the first theatres in the country made from all concrete walls,” said Unruh. “We discovered some really cool things like the original glass block concession stand that we have protected and incorporated into the bar. Also, when we tore into the drop ceiling, we discovered a barrel vaulted wood ceiling. It was made from the original boards that were used to form the concrete walls and was covered up from the moment they finished the building in the early 1930’s. We are really looking forward to making this place come alive again.”

The building will be available for all types of events – from corporate luncheons and gatherings to elaborate weddings. It will have a new stage and sound equipment plus a prepping area for caterers to serve up to 250 for a sit-down dinner or 425 for a standing party. Bride and groom suites will be in a loft area.

The company is opening three venues by 2017, including one in Grandview and one 30 minutes south of Kansas City in a rustic barn on family property of the Unruhs.

“We love being a part of the community of merchants on Johnson Drive. There’s something special going on here,” said Kris Unruh. “Some of the friendliest, hard- working people we have ever met are doing business shoulder-to-shoulder. They seem to really want each other to succeed and they’ve made us feel quite welcomed.”

Story Link: http://shawneemissionpost.com/2016/07/22/mission-theatre-building-on-johnson-drive-to-reopen-as-wedding-and-event-space-after-renovation-52512

ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.