Problems with electrical wiring and sanitary sewage caused the community-owned Traer Theatre to close its doors in 2002. The closing sparked a well-organized grassroots effort to repair, restore, and reopen the theatre, located in an 1895 building in downtown Traer in Tama County. Along with hundreds of hours of volunteer labor, local businesses and residents contributed over $150,000 over a four-year period, allowing the renovated theatre to reopen to the public in August 2006.
Today, the Traer Theatre continues to show first-run movies four days each week for just $2.00 per ticket. The 144-seat, volunteer-run theatre has received additional upgrades since the initial renovation, including a state-of-the-art sound system donated by a local bank. For current showtimes, check out the theatre’s website or call the movie line at (319) 478-2094.
Located on the north side of the square in downtown Clarion in Wright County is the Clarion Theatre, a single-screen movie house that dates to 1937. While a few exterior changes have taken place since the theatre’s construction, the angled brick design and iconic marquee remain in tact and in use. The Clarion Theatre is one of six in the state operated by the recently-established Big Time Cinema chain. First-run movies cost just $2.00 for adults, and $1.00 for children.
Located in downtown Fairfield in Jefferson County, Iowa, the history of the Co-Ed Twin Theatre dates back to July 28, 1910, when it originally opened the Orpheum Theater. In 1940, students at the now-defunct Parsons College won a contest to develop the best idea for the Orpheum’s planned remodeling. The name “Co-Ed” was adopted in honor of the winning students, reflecting the college’s status as a co-ed institution. A second screen was added to the theater in 1984, which is now owned and operated by the Big Time Cinema chain.
The single-screen Graind Theatre in Greenfield was constructed in 1927, at a cost of $15,000. Considered state-of-the-art at time of construction, the theatre featured a number of amenities including sloping floors, comfortable seats, and air conditioning. The theatre shows first-run movies daily except Mondays, with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
Over the past decade, the Iowa-based Fridley Theatres chain has been working to reduce its small-town footprint to focus on its multiplex operations in the state’s larger communities. The single-screen Riviera Theatre in downtown Emmetsburg is one of the latest cinemas to transfer ownership, as local businessmen purchased the theatre in late April 2010. The theatre was closed for a couple of weeks to allow improvements to the 1930s-era building, including new sound and projection systems.
In addition to first-run movies, which are shown seven days weekly, the theatre can be rented out to groups and organizations for parties, meetings, and more. During the college football season, free parties have been held for community members to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes for free on the big theatre screen.
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