From time to time, area newspaper and magazines publish articles about Classic Cinemas and we win awards. Since so many of our patrons are very interested in Classic Cinemas, here are some of the articles for your reading pleasure.
12th Annual Best of The West ’08!
March/April 2008, West Suburban Living
Readers choose their favorites in more than 70 categories!
Lighting Up Darkened Downtown
by Chad Greene, February 2008, Boxoffice Magazine
For 30 years now, Classic Cinemas has specialized in lighting up the darkened downtowns of communities in Northern Illinois by restoring older theatres such as the Lake in Oak Park, the Paramount in Kankakee and the York in Elmhurst.
10th Annual Best of the West 2006
March/April 2006, West Suburban Living
When it comes to knowing what's best in the Western Suburbs, we go right to the Source, our readers.
Let's Party (at the movies)!
May 2005, Nick Jr Family Magazine
An added perk: "We let the birthday child help start the movie from the projection booth," says Mark Mazrimas, marketing director at Classic Cinemas.
Cake, ice cream and a movie: How children's birthday parties are helping some suburban theaters fill the seats
by Lisa Smith, January 26, 2004, Daily Herald
Although movie attendance nationwide fell 4 percent in 2003, some suburban movie theaters have found a way to fill seats. They're thinking young. But not PG-13, "Torque," teenage young. More like "Peter Pan," PG, under-12 young. They're hosting children's birthday parties in a private room at the theater followed by kid-friendly movie showings.
Historical society honors owners of Tivoli Theatre
by Kevin Stahr, August 16 - 18, 2002, Downers Grove Reporter
Willis and Shirley Johnson are well-known in Downers Grove for owning the historic Tivoli Theatre, but now the Downers Grove couple's passion for movie theater preservation has earned them the Theatre Historical Society's President's Award.
The Lake Theatre is Oak Park's 'Majestic'
by Ken Trainor, January 9, 2002, Wednesday Journal
It's "mourning in America." It's also "re-examination time." Americans are asking, "Who are we that people hate us so?" We're re-examining what we stand for and asking, "What's real? What can we believe in?" Well, I'll tell you what's real, what we can believe in. The Lake Theatre.
These Old Houses -- The Classic Cinemas Story: 17 Theaters in 17 Years
by Jack Helbig, September 14, 2001, Reader's Guide
With his smoothly shaven face, receding hairline, and carefully manicured nails, Willis Johnson looks like any other middle-aged executive. But get the president of Classic Cinemas on his favorite topic - old movie houses, especially old movie houses his company has purchased and restored - and his eyes sparkle, his face becomes animated, his gestures become broader and less controlled.
