The corner of Market Street and National Avenue has been less bright than in years past.
The grand marquee on the Chehalis Cinemas has been dimmed for first time in a long time since Chehalis businessman Daryl Lund began operating the building as a theater.
Almost exactly a year ago, Lund closed his one-screen theater, unable to compete with the 10-screen Midway Cinema at the Lewis County Mall.
“I’d get 20 percent of the movies,” Lund said about the larger theater getting the bulk of first run movies. “But there’s not enough good movies out there.”
However, Lund and new business partner, Connor Tucker, are in the midst of trying to come up with a new business model and reopen the theater.
They said they were considering reopening the theater in May to show second-run movies for a discounted price.
“People are on budgets, but you can still see a good blockbuster,” Tucker said. “We believe it will be a good thing.”
He had planned to reopen the theater last May, but Lund said the purchase of a bar in Castle Rock left him unable to tend to both projects.
Both hope it will inject a little life back into the downtown area.
Tucker said he’s frequently been approached by businesses that tell him what a draw the theater was to bringing in foot traffic.
“It would bring people downtown that wouldn’t normally go downtown, and they’d walk by your store and know who you are,” said Jim Fechtner, owner of Fechtner Jewelry in Chehalis.
“I hate to do nothing with it. Chehalis has enough empty buildings,” Lund said. “A lot of people like the old nostalgic theater and the big screen, and a lot of people have fond memories here.”
Marqise Allen: (360) 807-8237
