Thursday April 20, 2023

For Those Attending in Person

Buffet Lunch

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

Chair of the day – Jena Evans

 

By Darlene Anderson

 

The historic West Theater located on Central Avenue in West Duluth was the gathering place for Rotarians of Club #25 for their weekly meeting. With no Rotary bell for President Barb Perrella to ring, she called for order and started the meeting while members continued enjoying their sandwich lunches in the beautifully renovated theater. President Barb was pleased to introduce the owner of The West Theater, Robert (Bob) Boone and asked him to share his journey of restoring an iconic fixture of West Duluth.

 

President Barb Perrella calling the meeting to order

Owner and Developer Bob Boone

 

 

 

The West Theater was built in the Art Deco style in the midst of the Great Depression by Clarence Kaake and B D Clinton. The theater closed in the mid-1950s, was vacant for a decade, housed a quilt shop and then was purchased by Mike Orman's nephew David. In 2015, David put the building on the market and heard that Bob Boone was interested in restoring it to its original use as a theater. After all, Bob said it had “Good bones” which is what you often call an “Ugly Duckling” that requires a lot of work. Bob thought West Duluth needed its own theater and David agreed. David even held the down payment check for 11 months while Bob worked on the logistics of the project.

 

 

“Ugly Duckling” transforms into a beautifully restored swan

 

Then began the transformation of the “Ugly Duckling” with Bob's vision, numerous volunteer hours, and donations from businesses and the patience of bankers. Each step of the adventure contains a story all its own: the theater seats, the chandeliers, the popcorn machine, the projector that rests in the front window. And now another step: rehabilitating the building next door. No longer is the West Theater an “Ugly Duckling” but once again an iconic Art Deco Theater to be appreciated and enjoyed by many for years to come.

 

Popcorn machine, vintage posters and an old projector - items from West Theater’s past restored and displayed for today