Elmhurst's York Theater marks historic anniversary with special showings

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Elmhurst’s famous York Theater is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week.

“The most heartwarming thing is the outpouring from everybody saying: ‘Oh, I had my first date there; I met my wife there; I met my husband there,’” said Chris Johnson, CEO of Classic Cinemas. “Everybody recalls what it meant to them, and just hearing all of the stories is really touching.”

In 1952, Classic Cinemas bought the theater, located at 150 N. York St. At the time, it was a single-screen facility.

“We really worked to refresh it and bring [back its] historic charm, capturing and refurbishing some of the fixtures,” he said.

The soon-to-be 100-year-old theater now offers heated seats, immersive sound and 10 different screens. Johnson, though, said it hasn’t lost its charm.

York Theater will be showing a film from each decade since its opening starting Sept. 4.

“It’s just a way of sort of looking back, celebrating the past, looking forward to the future and all … the impact that it’s had on the neighborhood and on the surrounding community,” he said.

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