By Megan Lewis
For the Sidney Daily News
JACKSON CENTER — In the 1940’s, movies theaters in the United States were not just for entertainment. They were a cultural hub, a place for war propaganda and morale, a spot for the community to gather and a source of economic impact.
The Elder Theatre in Jackson Center is still open after over 80 years. To keep it open, a local resident is leading a push to buy the business and turn it into a nonprofit.
Currently owned by Becky Miller, she and her late husband Rodney and purchased the theater more than 40 years ago and have guided the theater with a steady hand.
The have made many upgrades over the years, including adding a concession stand area, renovating the cry room into the theater office and remodeling the bathrooms and concessions.
With Rodney’s passing and Becky looking to have more adventures, she wants to pass the building along to new ownership.
Jackson Center resident Jordan Knepper is behind an initiative to keep the doors open with the theater.
“I remember my classmate saying in her graduation speech that when we were kids we went to the Elder on both Friday and Saturday nights, because there were so few other things to do in our community,” Knepper said. “Throughout modern history, cinemas and schools tend to be the driving forces behind creating community and I didn’t want Jackson Center to lose one of those places.”
Knepper has formed a 501c3 charitable organization, The Friends of the Elder Theatre, to turn the theatre into a nonprofit-run organization.
“There’s a trend across the country for single screen independent cinemas to become community owned through a nonprofit,” Knepper said. “I spoke with associates across the state about how they went about making this happen and was encouraged by their success, so put everything in motion.”
Knepper says the campaign goal is $350,000 and so far, they have $40,000 in pledges towards the purchase of the theatre. More information on the campaign or to donate can be found at https://www.eldertheatre.com/campaign.
The Elder Theater will be showing Nightmare On Elm Street on October 18th and the 19th. Then they will be showing Practical Magic on October 25th and 26th. Money raised at both movies will be put towards the fund.
