Paris Theatre
119 N. Central Avenue,
Paris,
IL
61944
119 N. Central Avenue,
Paris,
IL
61944
1 person
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Now operated by KJB Theaters. Website: http://kjbtheaters.com/
Actually it is the same building. Kerasotes did a complete interior and exterior renovation in 1960, as well as another remodel in the early 90’s when it was twinned. We actually found some old photos of its original exterior (the space age facade simply covers the old frontage) as well as interior pics from its condition before it closed in 1957 to its re-opening in 1960. These pics were just laying in the filing cabinet believe it or not. If you go upstairs, you can see the boarded up windows that used to face Central Ave. Now I just need to load these photos up:)
The Paris Theatre is still open and has converted to digital projection. I can’t find an official web site, but there is a Facebook page.
There’s probably little, if anything, remaining of the old Lincoln Theatre. An article about the remodeling of Kerasotes' Broadway Theatre at Cape Girardeau in the October 19, 1970, issue of Boxoffice said that Kerasotes Theatres had also completely rebuilt the Lincoln Theatre in Paris, Illinois before reopening it as the Paris Theatre the previous May.
AMC closed this theater in Feb, 2011. It was purchased and re-opened in Dec, 2011 by an independent operator. It continues to screen first run movies, as well as the popular “Free Summer Kids Films”, thanks to many generous local sponsors. Plans are underway to upgrade to digital projection and sound in early 2014.
As a former Parisite it’s sad to hear that the ‘Stinkin’ Lincoln' isn’t operating. In a town of 10,000 with the nearest competition 20ish miles away I’d think an independent owner should be able to make a profitable go of it. No not me, but someone!
I clicked on the photo and was suprised at how Atomic Age the place looked; any photos from earlier in its history? Is there some plaster roccoco (sp?) masterpiece hiding behind the shiny chrome?
Hopefully AMC wont sit on the place to long and a theater friendly buyer will emerge.
The Justin Scott/AMC standard PR statement that one of their former sites was closed because it “no longer competed effectively in the marketplace” doesn’t exactly hold when the nearest competition is located several miles away.
I’m not surprise that AMC closed this theater too. AMC spent huge amount of money on theaters,that they end up closing only a few months after they obtain them. It appears a theater has to be a multiplex for AMC to keep it open. Hopefully some other chain will reopen these theaters that AMC has toss away. Wonder what the grand total is at the moment, for the number of theaters that AMC bought from Kerasotes then closed a few months after operating them ? What theater will be the next one that AMC closes ?
AMC closed this theater on February 6, 2011: View link
That’s a little much, isn’t it?
Oh boy, the Paris theatre nestled in a little town known as the Edgar county seat in the heart of the Kikapoo farm country.A nice little town as many others with a town square around a court house.They had concerts in the park and a small fairground.On warm summer nights people would sit on the wall surrounding the courthouse lawn and converse. Mr. Papadokus the local sweet shop merchant pushed his popcorn and peanut wagon around selling his wares.And then there were the two theatres. I left Paris in 1943 to move to Chicago with my mom and brother.I went back to visit relatives many times and always headed for the theatres.I remember the sweet odor walking past them on a summer night that drew you in like a magnet. I am glad to hear that at least one is still operating there in a nice town from a nice era.
Chuckie Z.