Rosebud Cinema

BigScreen_com on February 13, 2024 at 9:24 pm

The theater is reopening February 14, 2024:

Wauwatosa, WI: Rosebud Cinema Reopens [Feb 13, 2024]

LouRugani on November 2, 2023 at 3:21 pm

There’s a plan to reopen the ROSEBUD Theatre after more than three years.

The theatre near North Avenue and 68th Street closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alderman Andrew Meindl, who oversees that district, told WISN 12 News the owner is targeting a Christmas return. Meindl said the owner plans reopening the ROSEBUD as a first-run theatre with newly-released pictures.

A community-owned theatre group is looking to turn the ROSEBUD into a community-led nonprofit. The owner told Ald. Meindl he will continue working with the group on a possible transfer of ownership in 2025.

CSWalczak on April 10, 2012 at 5:12 pm

This theater and another in Milwaukee are now closed but may reopen after all of their current financial troubles are resolved: View link

BigScreen_com on February 22, 2012 at 2:15 pm

The Times and Rosebud aren’t completely down, the bank is talking about having former owner Joy Hollis run the theaters in receivership.

New life for Rosebud, Times theaters? – JSOnline.com

Here are some photos of the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse, including when it was still the Tosa Cinema:

Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse Photo Gallery – bigscreen.com

TLSLOEWS on October 18, 2010 at 5:37 pm

Nice offical website for the Rosebud.

lwiden on July 31, 2008 at 5:22 pm

The Story of the Rosebud Cinema
by Krysta Legeros, UWM student, 2008

Sitting on a comfortable couch with a piece of pizza in one hand and a cold beer in the other is most people’s idea of the perfect way to watch a movie. This may occur most often in a person’s own living room, but the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse offers the same option.
Still standing in its beloved neighborhood in Wauwatosa, the Rosebud is a true part of Milwaukee’s beginning. From its opening in the humblest of times to its present day lure of a unique movie going experience, it has patrons coming back again and again. The Rosebud has gone through a multitude of changes over the years, and the most recent renovations are what has it surviving today.
The Rosebud opened on October 22, 1931 as the Tosa Theater, which was extremely unusual during the depression. The theater business is always hit or miss. “For someone to strike out into a business like this was very courageous” said Larry Widen, one of the owners and a respected freelance writer, who sports a gray goatee, mustache and a business mentality. When the theater first opened however, an array of articles and advertisements in the local paper got citizens excited for the new theater.
The opening ceremony housed 600 eager Wauwatosans who got to experience the acoustic panels, leather covered seats arranged on an angled floor, which boasted a great view from anywhere for the new “talkies.” “The projection machines, two huge affairs, are of the latest model and will provide the best synchronization of action with sound,” proclaimed The Wauwatosa News.
The new theater was a place for all ages, as they showed children matinees such as “Wheeler and Whoosey,” as well as films for a more mature audience like “I Take This Woman” and “The American Tragedy.” Citizens frequented the theater, given that the shows changed several times a week. But for a mere of 25 cents for adults it was always affordable.
The original owner, Ross J. Baldwin ran it for nine years until it was sold in 1940 to Ben Marcus. The name might sound familiar because it is an institution in Wisconsin and the surrounding states these days with around 50 locations. But the Rosebud and its sister theater, The Times Theater, were the first Marcus theaters in Milwaukee. “They weren’t one of the first, they were the very first Marcus Theaters,” said Widen. They may show their age compared to the new theaters built today, but their charm and unique aspects more than make up for it.
From the 1940’s to mid-1990, the Rosebud changed hands a few times before finally being bought and remodeled by Jay Hollis in 1999. Many drastic changes took place, which included getting rid of the original theater seats and adding the kitchen and modern bathrooms, to give it the comfortable, homey feel it has today.
Widen describes the Rosebud like many of his customers would. “It’s more like a living room.” The main lobby, with its warm red walls and soft lighting, is a portal back in time to the old theater days. While the illusion of an antique theater exists on the surface, that is as deep as it goes.
The main showing area that houses the one screen does not look anything like a regular theater. It does not feel like one either. Soft, overstuffed black couches have replaced the cramped, hard seating that use to exist. Short tables sit between the couches for a completed living room feel. Those tables are not there to set an overpriced slushy and box of candy on however.
The Rosebud’s final distinctive feature is the full drink and food menu that is offered. A big change from its original popcorn-only beginnings, the theater now serves a full menu including pizza that is delivered to you in your seat. The drink selection also reflects the adult, comfortable atmosphere it has taken on. “This place is for adults or people that act like adults.” Widen said, “That’s good enough for me.”
There is no syrupy slushy here, instead a more adult selection that appeals to its customers are on tap. While soda can always be found, a variety of draft beers, including a few Milwaukee labels to stay true to its roots, house wines and mixers are all available providing a truly relaxing evening.
The Rosebud hides a special aspect high above the main seating, which almost no one knows about. A product of the remodeling, a few select comfortable chairs sit high over the rest of the crowd in a private box. Pulling back a curtain allows the owners, their families and a few lucky people that buy the box at an auction to have a perfect view of the movie. “It is a private box and I like keeping it that way” said Widen.
While this living room type movie theater seems like an ingenious idea, only a few places around the country are like the Rosebud. “You’d think something like this everyone would jump on it” said Widen. The secret may be well hidden, but the patrons that frequent here are not complaining.
“Our audience tends to skew a little on the older side” said Widen. While many theaters thrive on the teenage audience, and the Tosa Theater once did, the Rosebud likes being a place for adults to escape to.
The movies that are shown directly reflect the audience it has. The Rosebud has stayed with its roots and shows a wide range of movies, from mainstream to more under-the-radar films. Widen said he screens every film before he decides to run it. “I feel like I have my finger on the pulse of the audience” said Widen. He tries not to let his own judgment stop him from playing films others might like. “Sometimes I’ve got to throw in a romantic comedy for the soccer moms” said Widen.
Widen plans on making sure the Rosebud stays a part of Wauwatosa for many more years to come. While its sister theater, The Times Theater, is planning on getting a face lift soon, the Rosebud has found its niche and plans on keeping it. While a multiple screen theater is not possible in its location, what will come next is always on the owners’ minds. “We’re always thinking about it” said Widen. A new location is also being tossed around, but when asked where that might be, Widen answered, “I’d have to kill ya if I told you.”
The Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse is a unique theater experience that has changed hands and audiences, but still continues to thrive. While the rich history of the theater is still apparent, it provides a new and innovative way to go out to the movies and still get the comfort of home.

JimRankin on December 22, 2004 at 4:36 pm

Original URL: View link

Rosebudâ€\s success spawns sequel
Theater owner to open Bay View movie house
By TOM DAYKIN

Posted: Dec. 16, 2004

Milwaukeeâ€\s reviving Bay View area finally is getting a cinema, but it wonâ€\t be at the neighborhoodâ€\s former Avalon Theatre.
Theater Sequel in Bay View
Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Patrons enter a midnight show at Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse, 6823 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, in 2002. Owner Jay Hollis is expanding his business with a new theater in Milwaukeeâ€\s Bay View area.

The Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse Bay View will open next summer in a former Kohlâ€\s supermarket, 2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., said Jay Hollis, who operates the original Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse, 6823 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.

The Bay View Rosebud, like the Wauwatosa business, will feature first-run and art house films in a single-screen theater, furnished with tables, sofas and chairs, and offering a dining service with beer, wine, pizza and other foods.

Hollis said Thursday he signed a letter of intent to sublease 5,000 square feet from Outpost Natural Foods, which recently agreed to lease the 24,000-square-foot building. The building has been empty since August 2003, when Kohlâ€\s Food Stores Inc. closed its 23 area supermarkets after several years of declining sales.

Outpost plans to open an 8,000-square-foot store by next summer and will use additional space for its catering division. Outpost, which also operates stores at 100 E. Capitol Drive and at 7000 W. State St. in Wauwatosa, is subleasing the north part of the building to Hollis.

Outpost plans to begin its $2.1 million renovation in January, said Pam Mehnert, general manager. She said the Rosebud, which will show movies only at night, will be compatible with the natural foods store, which operates during the day.

Outpost also might provide some food for the Rosebudâ€\s dining service, Mehnert said.

Hollis, who today celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Wauwatosa Rosebud, has been considering a second location in Bay View for about two years.

The south side neighborhood has seen an influx of new homeowners, which has increased property values and attracted several new retailers along Kinnickinnic Ave.

“The demographics are perfect for Rosebud,” Hollis said.

Also, Bay Viewâ€\s only movie theater, the Avalon, closed in July 2000. Avalon owner Craig Ellsworth said it could no longer compete with modern, multi-screen cinemas.

Hollis said the Wauwatosa Rosebud began turning a profit its second year, thanks to the dining service, unusual furnishings and a fun atmosphere drawing customers from throughout the Milwaukee area.

Hollis said it would cost roughly $250,000 to create the Bay View Rosebud. He expects to finance the project mainly with cash generated by the Wauwatosa cinema and a bank loan.

Hollis originally hoped to buy and reopen the Avalon, but dropped that plan because it would have been too expensive. He said Ellsworth wanted $1.5 million for the building, which includes 19 apartments and street-level retail space, or $550,000 for just the theater portion. Hollis estimated it would cost an additional $500,000 to properly renovate the theater building.

Ellsworth declined to comment on his discussions with Hollis. He said he continues to market the 1,250-seat theater for conversion to office space.

The Bay View Rosebud will have 170 to 190 seats, about the size of the Wauwatosa theater.

The new theater will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood, said Carol Voss, a spokeswoman for the Bay View Neighborhood Association.

Still, Voss added, “It would have been nice if it could have been in the Avalon.”

The Avalon opened in 1929. It is known for its decorative facade, ornate ceiling that depicts twinkling stars and a Wurlitzer pipe organ.

The Common Council in March designated the Avalon as a historic structure. That designation protects the Avalon from demolition or exterior renovations, but wonâ€\t affect Ellsworthâ€\s plan to turn the theater space into offices. In June, the Avalon made the stateâ€\s Ten Most Endangered Properties list for 2004, compiled annually by the Madison-based Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation.

From the Dec. 17, 2004, editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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unknown on November 2, 2003 at 5:58 am

The Rosebudâ„¢ Cinema Drafthouse; building was originally built in 1931. Since that time, the theatre has become a landmark of the North Avenue Business Community in Wauwatosa. In 1999. Jay Hollis, owner of Millennium Entertainment, purchased the historic building in order to revitalize the classic single screen neighbourhood theatre. After nearly a year of renovation, hard work and dedication, the Rosebudâ„¢ Cinema Drafthouse opened its doors on December 10, 1999.

With its ability to comfortably accommodate up to 250 guests, the “Rosebud” provides a truly unique cinema and dining experience. Furnished with intimate cafe tables and plush velvet love seats, sofas and chairs the cinema offers comfortable “at home” seating. Guests can sit back and relax as they watch a film, catch a live band on stage, or soak in the relaxing ambiance of the Rosebud®.

I would only add that its one of the best movie experiences I’ve had.