Rena Cinemas
310 N. Division Street,
Kellogg,
ID
83837
310 N. Division Street,
Kellogg,
ID
83837
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Polson Theatres, W A Simons Company
Architects: Bjarne H. Moe
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Rena Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Rena Theatre opened on January 9, 1937. It is believed that Rena was the wife of the first manager, who was also a partner in the business and was bought out early on. The Rena Theatre was one of two theatres in Kellogg operated by W.A. Simons and was owned by Simon Amusements. Their other theatre was the Liberty Theatre.
Simons continued to operate the Rena Theatre until the early 1990’s, when it sold to Magic Lantern Theatres of Edmonton, Canada. They upgraded the building (it had become quite run-down). The Magic Lantern operation proved unprofitable, largley because of the distance from Canada and difficulties with supervision. The Rena Theatre was rented out, with one tenant twinning it in the 1990’s. They divided the auditorium from the stage to the back wall. It was later sold and became part of the Polson Theatres chain. It was closed in the mid-2000’s, and was demolished in April 2011.
Contributed by
Chuck, Tom Hutchinson
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Predating Polson Theaters, it looks like the Rena was part of some conglomerate in the early eighties. The 1981 almanac lists the operator as W.A. Simons Co, a division of Sharp-Sias Enterprises. This company also ran the Wilma in Couer D'Alene at the time.
The October 9, 1937, issue of Boxoffice Magazine said that Seattle architect Bjarne Moe was actively involved in 15 of the 17 theater projects then underway in the northwest, both new construction and remodelings. The Rena Theatre was one of the 16 projects listed by name.
Though the item didn’t specify that it was one of those designed by Moe, the Rena Theatre was listed as being owned by Moe-Simons Entertainment, so he probably did design it. See also comments posted today by Tom Hutchinson and myself on the Cinema Treasures page for the Garland Theatrein Spokane.
I was the last person to work here at this theater. I helped it stay running for one additional month before being laid off. It was my favorite job in the world, it was my favorite place to be. I’ve never had a job as great as it.
I miss the place so much. I wish I would have done more to help it, I wish I would have tried something to keep it in business, but it just wasn’t to remain I guess.
The Rena theatre opened on January 9th, 1937. It’s named after the manager’s wife according to the newspaper article posted.