This is why, at least in the Chicagoland Area, the cinemas built for Cineplex-Odeon in the late 1980s did not survive. Several of them like the Grove Cinema in Downer’s Grove have already been demolished. Others like the Bricktown were turned into health clubs. The Lincoln Village is about the last of these and it is barely hanging on.
That is why when Keresotas took over the Webster Place, the company invested a boatload of money into it, gutting it, and doing a total rehab on it. Although the Webster has always been a popular place, the investment paid off handsomely.
“Paul, are you familiar with Ross Miller’s 1996 book, ‘Heres the Deal: The Buying and Selling of a Great American City’? It tells the story of the history and politics behind Block 37, from its earliest years up until the clearing of the block in the late 80s/early 90s. It’s really interesting reading, and has some nice vintage photos and drawings of the site, especially during its later years, from the 70s on.”
I did finally read this book. I bought a used copy of it from www.amazon.com for $1.00 plus shipping. You are right, it is a fascinating book and the story of “Block 37” goes back some 20 years prior to the actual demolition of the structures on the block. It all goes back to how “Hizzoner” was riding in his limousine to work one day and saw the buildings on the block and decided they had to go. It also briefly mentions how the single story structures that replaced the Roosevelt and stood there briefly (less than ten years) were merely intended to be “tax earners”—places that could temporarily be on the tax rolls while something permanent was being planned. Oddly enough, the Walgreens across the street from Fields/Macy’s was intended to be such a building, but it lasted for many years.
Further complicating Block 37 was Stop-n-Shop, Hillman’s, and Gapers. For those of you unaware, they were all part of an amazing bakery/supermarket that existed on the block and with all of the people living Downtown these days, would be most useful. The problem was that they had been owned by the same family and the family owned the building they were located in. They were offered a deal in which they could occupy the new building (that never came) as tenants. The catch was that their space would have been smaller and that they would have been paying many times in rent what they were paying in taxes. Plus, no provision was made for an alley, which would have been required for produce deliveries. In short, it was a ploy to get a profitable business out of there. Stop-n-Shop was profitable until the day it closed.
It appears to me that, in common with other Loop theatres in the 1970s, standard fare would occasionally play here in addition to the horror and blaxploitation and action movies. For example, GIVE EM HELL HARRY was a one-man show about Harry Truman. LOGAN’S RUN was a huge sci-fi blockbuster. SILVERSTREAK was a huge hit as was ALIEN.
I would like to see a list of what played here when the theatre was briefly known as the Dearborn.
The company has had a history of running theatres into the ground, and to a lesser extent, bad luck. Village has made minimal investment into the properties it has taken over from other cinema chains, rarely advertises its theatres, and goes for weeks without updating its website.
It was nice meeting you the other night. I hope that I don’t sound patronizing, but I am glad that you go out and enjoy movies too. And yes, “Letters From Iwo Jima” is a fantastic film.
Because of the renovations, the Webster Place has become my favorite place within the City of Chicago to see a movie. The public thinks so too as the place has been crowded, even on weeknights!
Good job Kerasotes! I have a feeling that they will soon overtake AMC-Loews in the Chicagoland Area. Now they need to do some work on the City North 14.
Robin, there are plenty of places that you can take your niece and nephew if you are in the area. The Cafe Brauer at the South Pond is much improved and is cheaper than the food court at the zoo. Cosi’s is on Clark and they are kid-friendly.
On the subject of the theatre, I don’t think we’ll ever see another movie theatre in this location. I think the location is at risk and I would not be surprised to see demolition permits issued soon.
Oops, CDiM, I think you mean the upper left corner of the photo.
When M&R sold out (and yes I mean “sold out”) to Loews, I believe that Loews was operating under the name “Sony Theaters”. Alternately, I heard that they also operated under “Sony/Loews”.
I also heard elsewhere on this site (I believe) that M&R still exists as a corporation.
You said it, my dear friend, I wouldn’t trust Village with my credit card and if I ever go back, I’d go incognito because one of their employees had some unkind words to say to me on this site. I also hadn’t realized how decrepit this place had become.
GS,
If you can’t fight ‘em on the towing situation, do go after them with all of the other things you noted. I have predicted that this chain will be out of business by the end of 2008 anyways.
What are your sources for why AMC Loews unloaded this place? Also,I called the Bloomingdale Court theatre today. Per the recording, it is a Village Theatre still and it is still playing movies.
I was here tonight to see DAN IN REAL LIFE. Here’s the what the theatre is like. The box office has been moved to the indoors, upper level, atop the escalators. On the one hand, it means that patrons purchasing tickets will not have to wait outdoors in the cold. On the other hand, it’s in the same area as the concession stands, so that could lead to congestion.
The auditoriums have been re-done into a red/blue scheme. The seats are much improved. They are similar to those found at the 600 North Cinema. Unfortunately, the place was not built for stadium seating, so it will never have that. New carpet has been placed in the main hallway. The hallway has been re-done with nice wall sconces. The entrance to the ladies restroom has been moved to the hallway too.
The concession area has been re-designed for better customer flow, but I’m still curious if it won’t get overcrowded with the box office being there now.
The renovations are nothing groundbreaking, but the Webster Place is now much improved over what it was before.
NIGHT OF THE COMET is simply one of the best 1980s Cheesy Sci-fi. The dialogue in this movie is simply hilarious! Unfortunately, it is NOT on DVD. I paid $20.00 for a used copy on Amazon.com.
You should combine that with a trip to see the Lincoln Village. All you have to do is take the 155 bus west from Sheridan/Devon. Do this while you still can. That is, while these theatres still exist and the bus route still exists.
Speaking of which, how will the proposed horrendous CTA/PACE/Metra cutbacks affect your movie-going? For me it will likely mean no more trips to the LaGrange, the Tivoli, the Lake, the York, etc. Sports-wise, it will likely mean no more trips to the Schaumburg Flyers and far fewer trips to the Chicago Wolves.
Any news on this theatre? When is it supposed to close.
This is why, at least in the Chicagoland Area, the cinemas built for Cineplex-Odeon in the late 1980s did not survive. Several of them like the Grove Cinema in Downer’s Grove have already been demolished. Others like the Bricktown were turned into health clubs. The Lincoln Village is about the last of these and it is barely hanging on.
That is why when Keresotas took over the Webster Place, the company invested a boatload of money into it, gutting it, and doing a total rehab on it. Although the Webster has always been a popular place, the investment paid off handsomely.
To Bryan K, per your comment of two years ago:
“Paul, are you familiar with Ross Miller’s 1996 book, ‘Heres the Deal: The Buying and Selling of a Great American City’? It tells the story of the history and politics behind Block 37, from its earliest years up until the clearing of the block in the late 80s/early 90s. It’s really interesting reading, and has some nice vintage photos and drawings of the site, especially during its later years, from the 70s on.”
I did finally read this book. I bought a used copy of it from www.amazon.com for $1.00 plus shipping. You are right, it is a fascinating book and the story of “Block 37” goes back some 20 years prior to the actual demolition of the structures on the block. It all goes back to how “Hizzoner” was riding in his limousine to work one day and saw the buildings on the block and decided they had to go. It also briefly mentions how the single story structures that replaced the Roosevelt and stood there briefly (less than ten years) were merely intended to be “tax earners”—places that could temporarily be on the tax rolls while something permanent was being planned. Oddly enough, the Walgreens across the street from Fields/Macy’s was intended to be such a building, but it lasted for many years.
Further complicating Block 37 was Stop-n-Shop, Hillman’s, and Gapers. For those of you unaware, they were all part of an amazing bakery/supermarket that existed on the block and with all of the people living Downtown these days, would be most useful. The problem was that they had been owned by the same family and the family owned the building they were located in. They were offered a deal in which they could occupy the new building (that never came) as tenants. The catch was that their space would have been smaller and that they would have been paying many times in rent what they were paying in taxes. Plus, no provision was made for an alley, which would have been required for produce deliveries. In short, it was a ploy to get a profitable business out of there. Stop-n-Shop was profitable until the day it closed.
It appears to me that, in common with other Loop theatres in the 1970s, standard fare would occasionally play here in addition to the horror and blaxploitation and action movies. For example, GIVE EM HELL HARRY was a one-man show about Harry Truman. LOGAN’S RUN was a huge sci-fi blockbuster. SILVERSTREAK was a huge hit as was ALIEN.
I would like to see a list of what played here when the theatre was briefly known as the Dearborn.
I wonder what the ownership of this theatre is. The theatre still appears on the Village Entertainment website and is still showing first run films.
How the heck is this place hanging on?
Long Island Movies,
The company has had a history of running theatres into the ground, and to a lesser extent, bad luck. Village has made minimal investment into the properties it has taken over from other cinema chains, rarely advertises its theatres, and goes for weeks without updating its website.
And now we begin again the Village Theatres “Deadpool”! Any takers:
1) Glenwood Theatre
2) Lincoln Village
3) North Riverside
4) Village North
5) Bloomingdale Court
Robin,
It was nice meeting you the other night. I hope that I don’t sound patronizing, but I am glad that you go out and enjoy movies too. And yes, “Letters From Iwo Jima” is a fantastic film.
Because of the renovations, the Webster Place has become my favorite place within the City of Chicago to see a movie. The public thinks so too as the place has been crowded, even on weeknights!
Good job Kerasotes! I have a feeling that they will soon overtake AMC-Loews in the Chicagoland Area. Now they need to do some work on the City North 14.
Robin, there are plenty of places that you can take your niece and nephew if you are in the area. The Cafe Brauer at the South Pond is much improved and is cheaper than the food court at the zoo. Cosi’s is on Clark and they are kid-friendly.
On the subject of the theatre, I don’t think we’ll ever see another movie theatre in this location. I think the location is at risk and I would not be surprised to see demolition permits issued soon.
Cinemark Fan,
It is a much improved place! It shows what a theatre company can do if it INVESTS MONEY in its theatres!
Oops, CDiM, I think you mean the upper left corner of the photo.
When M&R sold out (and yes I mean “sold out”) to Loews, I believe that Loews was operating under the name “Sony Theaters”. Alternately, I heard that they also operated under “Sony/Loews”.
I also heard elsewhere on this site (I believe) that M&R still exists as a corporation.
Catherine,
The movie poster in the photo is of SCARY MOVIE 2, so the place was open until at least 2001.
Catherine,
You said it, my dear friend, I wouldn’t trust Village with my credit card and if I ever go back, I’d go incognito because one of their employees had some unkind words to say to me on this site. I also hadn’t realized how decrepit this place had become.
GS,
If you can’t fight ‘em on the towing situation, do go after them with all of the other things you noted. I have predicted that this chain will be out of business by the end of 2008 anyways.
OMG, there’s actually an ad for the Village North in the Sun-Times today!
OMG, there’s actually an ad for the Lincoln Village in the Sun-Times today!
OMG, there’s actually an ad for the Village North in the Sun-Times today!
Truth Revealed,
What are your sources for why AMC Loews unloaded this place? Also,I called the Bloomingdale Court theatre today. Per the recording, it is a Village Theatre still and it is still playing movies.
Cinemark Fan,
I was here tonight to see DAN IN REAL LIFE. Here’s the what the theatre is like. The box office has been moved to the indoors, upper level, atop the escalators. On the one hand, it means that patrons purchasing tickets will not have to wait outdoors in the cold. On the other hand, it’s in the same area as the concession stands, so that could lead to congestion.
The auditoriums have been re-done into a red/blue scheme. The seats are much improved. They are similar to those found at the 600 North Cinema. Unfortunately, the place was not built for stadium seating, so it will never have that. New carpet has been placed in the main hallway. The hallway has been re-done with nice wall sconces. The entrance to the ladies restroom has been moved to the hallway too.
The concession area has been re-designed for better customer flow, but I’m still curious if it won’t get overcrowded with the box office being there now.
The renovations are nothing groundbreaking, but the Webster Place is now much improved over what it was before.
I bought it a few years ago. $20.00 was the CHEAPEST price I found for it anywhere.
NIGHT OF THE COMET is simply one of the best 1980s Cheesy Sci-fi. The dialogue in this movie is simply hilarious! Unfortunately, it is NOT on DVD. I paid $20.00 for a used copy on Amazon.com.
Can a company be so lazy that they don’t want people to know what’s playing?
Has anyone but me noticed that Village has not updated its website in awhile?
Cinemark Fan,
You should combine that with a trip to see the Lincoln Village. All you have to do is take the 155 bus west from Sheridan/Devon. Do this while you still can. That is, while these theatres still exist and the bus route still exists.
Speaking of which, how will the proposed horrendous CTA/PACE/Metra cutbacks affect your movie-going? For me it will likely mean no more trips to the LaGrange, the Tivoli, the Lake, the York, etc. Sports-wise, it will likely mean no more trips to the Schaumburg Flyers and far fewer trips to the Chicago Wolves.