Cinema 25

Construction of the latest Jerry Lewis Cinema by franchisee Carmen M. and James A. Houle’s CeJay Corp. Cinema began on January of 1971. The site was formerly home to radio station KEXO which had burned down in 1963. The new-build automated theater followed the pledge of the circuit by booking only family fare. It launched May 28, 1971. With Jim Brown starring in “…tick…tick…tick". It was advertised at 1200 N. 25th Street at the Red Cliff Point Shopping Center. It actually was at 1224 N. 25th behind the Weinershcnitzel restaurant.

There was the potential that the Houles would follow up the success they were having with a second Lewis location. But Jerry Lewis Cinema and its parent, Network Cinema Corporation, were not enjoying the same success as this franchisee. In 1973, they were in free fall heading toward dissolution. Like many Jerry Lewis locations, the Houles removed the Lewis signage and renamed the venue. This location became the Cinema 25 named for the street on which it was situated on May 16, 1973.

The Houles / CeJay Cinema would eventually add a twin-screen theater seating 700 announced in 1975 and launching as the Monument Twin opening May 7, 1976. That cinema closed on September 14th unable to extend its 20-year lease. The Houles then sold this theater on March 30, 2001. Ed Slater ran the Cinema 25 until the end of a 30-year lease closing just past the 30th Anniversary two and a half months later on June 15, 2001. It closed with Ashley Judd in “Along Came a Spider".

The venue was used as Club 25 by Agape Acres Church for live events in 2003. It became the Metro Playhouse a live theater and dinner location opening on April 15, 2004. It closed as the Metro on August 19, 2007. It was converted for use by La Salsa Restaurant and Bar ending its run as a theatrical operation.

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