WOW 7 theater remodeled and reopened as Cinema 7

SANDWICH – Ninety-year-old John Kell, a life-long resident of Sandwich, remembers going to Sandwich’s State Theater during the Great Depression with his neighbor to watch cowboy movies for 25 cents.

After living 90 years in Sandwich, Kell was happy to hear that the WOW 7 movie theater, 101 Duvick Ave. in Sandwich, was purchased by Classic Cinemas and will be remodeled.

“The old theater needed renovation, and I didn’t want to see the building close or lose another business in town,” Kell said. “A lot of people are already driving to Yorkville for the movies. With the new company, I hope the theater stays open for a long time. I wish them all the luck in the world.”

WOW 7 opened on Thanksgiving Day 1998. The theater was built by Ralph Webb, Harold Oliver and Thomas Weber, their last names and the number of theater screens forming WOW 7’s name. Webb bought out Oliver and Weber’s shares and managed the theater with his daughter Cindy.

Classic Cinemas purchased WOW 7 on Sept. 15. After closing for a week of renovations, the theater reopened as Cinema 7 on Friday with screenings of “The Magnificent Seven” and “Storks.”

Classic Cinemas is a family-owned company based in Downers Grove. It is the largest independent theater chain in Illinois and one of the largest in the United States. With the acquisition of WOW 7, Classic Cinemas now operates 111 screens at 14 locations across northern Illinois, including Elmhurst, Freeport, Oak Park, Naperville and St. Charles.

Willis Johnson, president of Classic Cinemas, has a house in Lake Holiday and often visited WOW 7 with his wife Shirley.

“During the summers, we would frequent the theater, and we got to know Ralph,” Johnson said. “We were both involved in movie theaters and members of the National Association of Theater Owners of Illinois. A year ago, my son Chris, the company’s CEO, was contacted that the WOW 7 was available. He was asked if we were interested in talking about purchasing it.”

Classic Cinemas purchased the theater and all of its contents, including the movie projectors, seats and concession equipment. Mark Mazrimas, Classic Cinemas’ marketing manager, said that a week was not enough time to completely renovate the theater but some updates have been made.

“We hope to have everything done by early 2017, to bring the theater back to its former glory and better,” Mazrimas said. “We didn’t want the theater to be closed for months and for the community to miss movies. We will have the opportunity for construction every day, and people will be able to see the changes that transpire.”

Mazrimas said the two issues people were most concerened about – the unkept bathrooms and the cinema lights that did not dim – have been fixed.

Changes that were completed by the theater’s reopening included adding new toilets, vanities and mirrors in the bathrooms, adding new digital sound processors, installing a new automation system, changing the light bulbs to softer colors, having the parking lot seal coated and restriped, fixing the lights in the parking lot, having the seats and carpeting cleaned, replacing the heating and air conditioning units, some painting and adding new video monitors for showtimes and concessions.

By early 2017, the signs on the exterior of the building will be removed and new lighting fixtures added, the movie poster cases will be rebuilt, the game arcade removed, the carpets replaced, vinyl will be added to the lobby’s walls and new pleated fabric will be added to the auditorium walls.

“We want the theater to be family-friendly, with a welcoming decorating theme,” Johnson said. “The theater needed a lot of updating. Everything will be finished by early 2017, and we’re not going to dawdle. It all depends on the availability and delivery of the material.”

Cinema 7 movie tickets cost $6 before 6 p.m. and $8 for adults and $6 for children and seniors after 6 p.m. There is an additional $2 charge for 3D movies. Tickets for non-3D movies cost $5 on Tuesdays. Cinema 7’s amenities include a party room and free refills on all sizes of popcorn, soft drinks and ICEES. For a limited time, each ticket purchase will include a free small popcorn.

Moviegoers also can enroll in the Classic Rewards Program. Members can earn points by purchasing tickets, concessions and gift cards. Points can be used for free concessions and movie tickets. Members also will receive advance movie schedules, special offers and discounts.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Cinema 7 will screen “Hotel Transylvania 2” for Halloween. Admission will be $1 per person or free for patrons wearing a costume.

Johnny Hornick, owner of Johnny K’s next to the movie theater, said the theater’s remodeling will help with both the theater and his restaurant’s business.

“I think that it’s great that it’s happening,” Hornick said. “The movie theater is something for people to do here in Sandwich. It’s important to keep businesses here in town. I’m excited now to go to the movies.”

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For more information about Classic Cinemas and Classic Cinema 7, visit www.classiccinemas.com or call 815-786-7777. For movie times, call 815-786-1999.