Oak Park theater could get new marquee
Oak Park theater could get new marqueeA historic movie house in Oak Park could get a new marquee soon if plans are approved.
One of the nation's original “movie palaces,” the Art Deco-style Lake Theatre first opened its doors in 1936, with an auditorium that could seat 1,464. In 1985, the theater was renovated into a triplex, although some original elements were saved. Another renovation and expansion have given the theater a total of seven screens, but its facade and marquee have not undergone renovation. Now, owners would like to replace the traditional marquee with a digital one.
Chris Johnson, who owns the Lake Theatre, said recently that updating the sign, which requires that letters be put up one at a time, can be especially difficult during the winter, when freezing weather can make the letters break. He said a digital sign would cost approximately $200,000, a substantial cost in the short run. However, he believes this will save money, time, and breakage for the theater in the long run, and is a good investment. Brochure printing can be used to explain the advantages of devices like this.
Johnson also noted that today's digital signs are often very attractive, thanks to the advances in the technology. They can present a nice picture, according to Johnson, who compared the sign he plans for his theater with the one now in use at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre. Plans for the sign will be presented to the Community Design Commission on August 28.
One of the nation's original “movie palaces,” the Art Deco-style Lake Theatre first opened its doors in 1936, with an auditorium that could seat 1,464. In 1985, the theater was renovated into a triplex, although some original elements were saved. Another renovation and expansion have given the theater a total of seven screens, but its facade and marquee have not undergone renovation. Now, owners would like to replace the traditional marquee with a digital one.
Chris Johnson, who owns the Lake Theatre, said recently that updating the sign, which requires that letters be put up one at a time, can be especially difficult during the winter, when freezing weather can make the letters break. He said a digital sign would cost approximately $200,000, a substantial cost in the short run. However, he believes this will save money, time, and breakage for the theater in the long run, and is a good investment. Brochure printing can be used to explain the advantages of devices like this.
Johnson also noted that today's digital signs are often very attractive, thanks to the advances in the technology. They can present a nice picture, according to Johnson, who compared the sign he plans for his theater with the one now in use at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre. Plans for the sign will be presented to the Community Design Commission on August 28.