Fox Theatre

edwilke on January 21, 2007 at 9:37 pm

These are articles for the Stevens Point Journal.

November 26, 1985

Fox closing irks theater chain

The Fox Theater in downtown closed for supposed interior work today as it busiest season of the year approaches. That has left the owners of the theater chain that operates the Fox chagrined.
Essaness Theaters of the Chicago, which purchased the theater business but not the Fox building last September, ordered the theater closed “I will not operate a theater that does not offer patrons a good experience,” said Larry Hanson, vice president of Essaness. Owner of the Fox building is the Sanders family of Stevens Point.
At issue is a furnace for the building. When the city of Stevens Point acquired the rear portion of the theater for the downtown mall project after a lengthy dispute over historical clearance, replacement of the heating system was still unsettled. The old furnace was in the portion the city acquired.
Temporary heaters were installed but are not sufficient for the winter season.
The city’s estimate of what it would cost to replace the furnace was about $75,000, based on a study conducted by a city consultant.
But the Fox owners disagreed with the city’s plans for replacement, the estimated cost and over who should do the work.
City Attorney Louis Molepske said today that some of those problems had been worked out Monday. The owners agreed to accept a check for $74,525 for the furnace work. The agreement calls on the owners to contract for the work themselves. And if the owners can show that the city’s estimates for the work done if the city’s plan had been followed are too low, they will have an opportunity to collect more money, Molepske said.
Certain other matters remain to be worked out with the owners, he added.
Essaness, meanwhile, is disturbed by the affair. Hanson said he doesn’t believe that the Sanders family is receiving what it should for the work. And he said he’s disappointed that the matter dragged out this long, blaming the city and not the owners.
“I’m going to lose,” he said. “I will have a serious problem with film companies in terms of my commitments.”
Essaness prides itself in operating quality theaters, and it won’t operate the Fox until it meets those standards, he said. “I have scheduled a lot of refurbishing there,” he said, citing plans for new restrooms, a remodeled lobby and other changes. “But they can’t be done without adequate heating plant,” he said.
Hanson was informed of recent developments in negotiations between the city and owners, and said, “It’s an amount of money that does not adequately compensate the Sanders people.”
Negotiations have been going on for more than a year, and “The city is trying to negotiate the landlord’s acceptance of something that the landlord doesn’t think is possible or adequate,” Hanson said.
He would give no date for reopening, but said that Essaness won’t operate the theater again until it meets Essaness standards.

December 11, 1985

Fox Theater reopening Friday

The Fox Theater, which closed recently because of heating problems, will reopen Friday, according to Mike Sowinski, its manager.
Temporary heating unites weren’t providing enough heat. They were installed after the downtown mall project resulting in the removal of the rear portion of the Fox, which contained the furnace.
Discussions between the city and the buildings owners about a permanent heating system continue. Meanwhile, Sowinski said an old heat exchange unit and the temporary heaters will be used to provide sufficient heat.

April 25, 1986

No comments on Fox closing
Rogers Fox Theater is closed.

None of the parties involved will say why the theater is not open or how long it will be closed.
The theater, at 1124 Main St., is owned by Jeanette Sanders and has been operated by Essaness Theaters, Chicago, since September 1985.
“The Fox will not have films this week,” was the response to a call to the theater this morning. The business stopped advertising movies in the Stevens Point Journal Wednesday.
Local manager Michael Sowinski said he could address the matter further. “No comment. You’ll have to get that from Chicago.”
Numerous calls to Essaness officials were not returned.
“We just have no comment. We don’t know. No comment,” said Donald Sanders, Jeanette’s husband.
Their attorney, Gray Dreler, said he did not know the theater was closed. “I am negotiating on behalf of the owner with the preset lessee and operator,” he said. “It’s our position that we have a valid, binding lease, and we intend to hold them to it.”
He would not say how long the lease is or detail why negotiations are needed. “That’s a rather involved matter, and at this point I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the negotiations.”
Plans to expand Rogers Cinema, 2725 Church St. from two to five theaters were announced earlier this mouth. Essaness operates it.

Broan on January 21, 2007 at 1:11 pm

you might try looking at old newspapers or microfilm at your library, if they have any. it likely would say, either with the last ad or in an article about it closing.

tmsenzig on January 21, 2007 at 12:58 pm

I know the owners have been very hush hush about what’s going on regarding the place right now. If you’re interested in finding out what the last movie that played there was, maybe try getting in contact with Rogers Theatres (yes, THAT Rogers Theatres), as they were the ones operating the theatre at the time it closed, having bought out the lease in the late 70s.

edwilke on January 21, 2007 at 12:33 am

This is an article from The Gazette, another Stevens Point paper.
It was printed on July 19, 1893.

Now For the Opera House

This forenoon G. F. Andrae secured the deed for the ground upon which he will erect a new Opera House. The ground has a frontage of fifty-five feet on Main Street, and extends thought to Brown Street, the consideration being $4,165. Mr. Andrae has also purchased the lot on Brown Street, adjoining on the west, giving plenty of ground room on the rear for entrance, storage purposes, etc. The property was formerly owned by Henry and J. D. Curran. The contract has been let for moving the building, now occupied as a Chinese laundry, to Brown Street, and the building will be moved on Monday next. The contract for excavation for the basement has also been made, and work upon the same will be commenced at once. Mr. Andrae as has been stated before, has already received a number of plans, but the one he is most favorably impressed with is that furnished by a Chicago architect, who will be here today or tomorrow and look the ground over. This is something that Stevens Point has long needed, and it is a pleasure to be able to announce that the Andrae Opera House will be pushed forward to completion as fast as men can do the work and money provide the material, and that it will be erected in a model style and supplied with the latest and most approved furnishing and conveniences.

edwilke on January 18, 2007 at 1:11 pm

Here are some links from the Archives Collections.

This is the earliest postcard of the Opera House. This is what the building originally looked like.
http://library.uwsp.edu/PCHS/pictures/d2072i.jpg

This postcard is from the 1920’s, facing west down Main Street. The old sign for the Majestic Theater and part of the original balcony are visible in the photo. The Lyric Theater is also on the postcard next to the Post Office (the large white building).
http://library.uwsp.edu/PCHS/pictures/d1047i.jpg

This postcard is from the 1930’s. The photo was taken from Third Street looking east down Main Street. The Majestic sign and marquee can be seen in the far back, over the car facing forward.
View link

This is a postcard from the late 1960’s facing west down Main Street. The Fox Theater can be seen.
http://library.uwsp.edu/PCHS/pictures/d1037i.jpg

There are files in the Archives at the UWSP Library. There are photos and other information in the folders.

edwilke on January 17, 2007 at 9:55 am

This is an article form Stevens Point Weekly Journal.
It was printed on August 12, 1893.

Plans for the new Opera House

Saturday morning of last week, Mr. Andrae received the plans for the new Opera house block, and they are without doubt the most complete plans and specifications that ever came to Stevens Point. They were prepared by architects Oscar Cobb & Son of Chicago, according to the original ideas and views of Mr. Andrae. Two fine stores will occupy the front part of the block, which is to be 56 feet wide and 60 feet deep, with a hall 42x54 feet overhead. In the center of the block, between the stores, will be a 12-foot entrance leading back to the Opera House, which is to be 48 feet wide by 105 feet long. The latter will be built from modern architectural designs and when completed will be one of the finest in the state, outside of Milwaukee. The interior will be fitted up with all modern conveniences for comfort and safety of its patrons. It will have a seating capacity for about 650 people. Besides the auditorium, a gallery and six boxes, it will be provided with reception rooms, toilet rooms, etc., with steam heat, electric light and water works thought-out. Several exits will be conveniently arranged whereby an audience could easily escape in case of fire or other accident. The stage will be well equipped with spacious dressing rooms and other apartments for the convenience of actors, and supplied with beautiful scenery. The front of the building will be constructed of pressed brick, trimmed with brown stone and very ornamented. The contract for laying the foundation has been let to W. E. Ule, who will begin the work as soon as the excavating, which is progressing finely, is finished.

Pating on January 9, 2007 at 5:36 am

When my dad worked at the Fox, he was a doorman and usher. He did several jobs though. He collected tickets, opened the doors, put letters on the old marquee. He actually painted the floor of one of the bathrooms red per request of his boss. I have no clue if it’s still that color though.

He says he THINKS he remembers seeing 2001: A Space Odyssey there.

He also said it was a fairly busy place when he worked there, and it made good business.

I’ll try to get more information from him though.

allmyfriends25 on January 7, 2007 at 9:00 am

I was given like a 1 to 2 year restoration timeline if it all went down. nothing on my end, so no news to give ya.

Piercedtrailerparkdiva on January 7, 2007 at 1:22 am

oh yeah if someone gets to it before I do please post a link because I’m definitely sure this is going to make the journal

tmsenzig on January 6, 2007 at 2:23 pm

There were 2 Penske trucks parked outside the theatre today unloading what appeared to be – among other things – projection and lighting equipment.

Piercedtrailerparkdiva on December 14, 2006 at 3:27 pm

Could you possibly ask your dad what his job at the fox was and to share some memories and post here? I’m sure we would all love to know!

allmyfriends25 on November 25, 2006 at 3:14 pm

Oh i would love to see that video. if you are going to take that back soon, please contact me so I can pick that up as well. thanks!

bschm775atuwsp.edu