Inner City Entertainment Theaters is expected to reopen its doors in Lawndale this spring, nearly four years after shuttering, the co-owner announced Saturday.
The Black-owned movie theater, inside of Lawndale Plaza on West Roosevelt Road, played its last movie in May 2007 after the owners lost financing.
“We never really wanted to close. It was doing well, but refinancing became a problem. We had no choice but to close the Lawndale location and eventually our (62nd Street) Western location,” co-owner Alisa Starks told the Defender at Collins High School after a 24th Ward aldermanic forum at the school.
The Starks and her husband Donzell, also the co-owner, opened three theaters in November 1997 –– ICE Chatham 14, ICE 62nd & Western 10 and ICE Lawndale 10.
Financing
from a federal program, New Market Tax Credits, will allow the theater to
reopen. The program funds development projects in blighted neighborhoods, she
said.
“We’ve
always looked forward to opening again. We still own the building,” said
Starks.
Starks
said the theater will provide at least 20 jobs, most part-time, and will focus
on hiring from the community.
Lawndale resident Lavonte Roache was happy to hear news and pending employment opportunities for the neighborhood.
“I was upset that it closed. I couldn’t go around the corner from my home anymore to see a movie. I’m happy they’re coming back and bringing jobs for the community. That’s a good start,” said Roache.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
