La Grange Theatre On Track To Open: Executive

LA GRANGE, IL — The company that is taking over the operations of the La Grange Theatre said this week its renovation project is "on track."

Downers Grove-based Classic Cinemas is planning to open the theater at 80 S. La Grange Road by this summer.

On Monday, Chris Johnson, the company's CEO, told the Village Board that Classic Cinemas is renovating the nearly 100-year-old building.

"Everything is going well," he said. "Everything seems to be on track, and we're still shooting for summer movies at the La Grange Theatre."

In the movie business, more releases are coming, so the theater's opening should be good timing, Johnson said.

"We have no issues whatsoever," he said.

Village President Mark Kuchler said the board and residents are excited "for the big grand opening sometime this summer."

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.

The theater closed at the beginning of the pandemic.

Classic Cinemas is expected to invest at least $1 million in the theater, which only showed second-run films before. The $1 million would allow the theater to show first-run films, boosting ticket sales.

The money would also pay for an extensive renovation, which will include the installation of heated, reclining seats, and the construction of an additional auditorium, officials said.