Center Cinema Twins
192 S. Central Avenue,
Richland Center,
WI
53581
192 S. Central Avenue,
Richland Center,
WI
53581
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Related Websites
Richland Movies (Official)
Additional Info
Architects: Joseph G. Durrant
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Eskin Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
608.647.3669
Nearby Theaters
The Eskin Theatre opened as a single screen theatre on March 4, 1937 and had 500 seats. It was operated by Sarah Eskin, and in 1953 she opened the Highway 14 Drive-In in the Muscoda section of the town, (today operating as the Starlite 14 Drive-In).
It has since been twinned, and renamed Center Cinema Twins. Since 1988 it has been operated by Bill & Lisa Muth, who also operate the towns' Starlite 14 Drive-In. The Center Cinema Twins was converted to digital projection in February 2014, with the Starlite 14 Drive-In to follow shortly afterwards. It was closed on September 1, 2019.
It was sold to new owners in July 2020 and was reopened in early-November 2021.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
The owners have raised the money for the digital conversion at both the indoor and outdoor theaters. There is a video clip with this link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/ask/catching-up/catching-up-richland-center-movie-theaters-will-remain-open/article_ff001473-af58-5d46-bd76-ef27f4ad0dff.html
The history page of the Center’s web site says that Jacob and Sarah Eskin hired Boscobel, Wisconsin architect Joseph G. Durrant to design the Eskin Theatre. Durrant had earlier designed the Blaine Theatre at Boscobel and the Fort Theatre at Montfort, Wisconsin. The Eskin Theatre opened on March 4, 1937. Sarah Eskin received title to the Eskin and the Richland Theatre in a divorce settlement granted on March 29.
Both properties are for sale for 180 grand. Have to buy both.
According to the website, it appears that the costs of digital conversion were too much for a small town operation to absorb. After closing on Sept 15, the closest movie house after the Center closes will be 26 miles away, and the closest multiplex a 47 mile drive. Given the severity of Wisconsin winters, a lot of streaming is going to be happening in the local homes.
Now both theatres are closed. The indoor theatre closed Sept 1.
Story about closings: https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/theaters-in-richland-center-again-face-uncertain-future/article_3ad4beaf-33e0-5327-81cd-0f7ed25102e5.html
I wonder what they are going to do with the digital projectors. I know of a non profit here in NJ that might be interested.
This theatre has been sold to new owners who have reopened the Starlite 14 Drive-in just south of town. The drive-in is now open and showing older films. The Center Cinema Twins may open again once the Covd19 crisis is open. https://madison.com/wsj/business/starlite-14-resurrected-in-richland-center-amid-covid-19-pandemic-but-older-movies-offer-challenge/article_fa45f095-96ac-54b0-862a-d0f3b32170b1.html
i hope they reopen!
Status should be Open. They are showing current movies on weekends. Website: https://richlandmovies.com/center-cinema-info/