By creating a family-friendly environment and gaining support from the community over the last century, The Grand Theater celebrated its 100 year anniversary on October 4 after being built in 1924.
According to owner Ed Buchinski, construction of the theater began on April 15, 1924 and opened on October 4, 1924, [taking] less than six months to build.
Buchinski said that nowadays people don’t expect too much of the theater because of its age.
“Seeing people’s reaction when they come into a very old theater, most of the time [people] think it is going to be a complete dump,” Buchinski said.
After a new roof and minor renovations to the interior of the building in 1987, the community’s views on the theater changed.
“Wherever I go, I am more sought out than the mayor,” Buchinski said. “I can’t go anywhere in town without people [saying], ‘Oh, Ed, what’s coming next?’”
According to general manager Newt Wallen, running a theater is about “showmanship” and “presentation.”
“It is all about the old-fashioned way,” Wallen said.
Concession supervisor Trent Kurdes shares a similar outlook.
Kurdes said that everyone who enters the theater notices how the staff is dressed in “fancy outfits”
“[Our uniform is a] tuxedo,” Kurdes said. “Everyone likes to compliment us when they walk in.”
To keep audiences coming in, The Grand Theater makes sure that there are a variety of movies playing to appeal to different age groups.
“As long as there is product out there, it is a reason for people to come in,” Wallen said, “and then once you get a taste for it, you’re going to keep coming back and you’re going to want to bring your family.”
According to Buchinski, the theater shows silent films two to three times a year, which is something special they included during the weekend of October 4 for their anniversary.
“On the weekend of October 4, we had two silent movies,” Buchinski said. “We ran ‘A Night To Remember’ for the local food bank as a free show.”
Buchinski said that as well as the silent films to celebrate, the theater sold mugs, held an antique car show, had staff dress in period costumes and had a band play in front of the building as part of First Friday.
“We wanted to make a big deal out of this,” Buchinski said.
For Kurdes, helping make people’s movie experience enjoyable is his favorite part of working at The Grand Theater.
“People always say that they love it here. It’s one of the few fun things you get to do in this area,” Kurdes said. “I love making people happy when they come here.”
According to Wallen, he is “excited” to be a part of helping people enjoy their “theatrical experience” because while “everyone is sharing [the] experience, seeing and hearing the same thing, everybody is getting something completely different out of it.”
“[It’s] the coolest thing in the entire world when you can create those memories,” Wallen said.