1st Movie Set At La Grange's Renovated Theater

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange Theatre is poised to open Thursday – for the first time since the pandemic began.

The theater plans to show "Top Gun: Maverick" over the Memorial Day weekend. The new operator is Downers Grove-based Classic Cinemas, which runs a chain of theaters in the Chicago area.

Not all of the La Grange Theatre's auditoriums will be open at the beginning, but they should be ready by July, Classic's CEO, Chris Johnson, said Monday.

"We have our inspections Wednesday," Johnson told the Village Board. "If all goes well, we'll be in good shape and be ready to go for 'Top Gun.'"

In the fall, Classic Cinemas started renovating the nearly 100-year-old building at 80 S. La Grange Road. Now, it is able to show first-run films such as "Top Gun."

Other movies that are planned at the theater are "Jurrasic World," "Lightyear" and "Minions."

The renovation included the installation of heated, reclining seats, and the construction of an additional auditorium, according to the village.

Last October, the Village Board voted unanimously for the forgiveness of $1 million in village loans to the theater.

Under an agreement, the theater would be released from liens and would charge an entertainment tax on ticket sales that would be split between the village and Classic Cinemas.

"This is a true win-win-win," Village President Mark Kuchler said at Monday's board meeting. "The village is definitely benefitting by having Classic Cinemas come in to professionally run the movie theater."