Historic Englewood Theater: Efforts underway to restore its glory

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) - A historic staple in Independence is getting a facelift. A local non-profit is now under contract to buy and revitalize the Englewood Theater and Ben Franklin’s Five and Dime in the Englewood Arts District.

Both buildings hold sentimental value for community who have fond memories of the days they were open.

“It is the reason I even know Englewood exists,” said local business owner Jesse Williams.

The words ‘We Love Englewood Theater’ are posted on a big red wooden heart just underneath its historic marquee. To say Williams loves the theater would be an understatement.

“It means so much to me and so much to my family and I know that so many people around here and so many people that aren’t even here that started their careers here at the Englewood Theater, the KC Opry,” she said.

Her father Tuffy Williams operated the theater from 1981-1992. He ed away in 2022 and Williams opened a dispensary just across the street in his honor.

“I just felt led, I was like let’s go check out Englewood and see what’s happening out there because I really just wanted to bring it back up to what it used to be,” said Williams.

The Friends of Englewood Theater is non-profit now under contract to revitalize it and said they are dedicated to doing just that. President Brent Schondelyer said he is an Independence native.

“We’re trying to do what everyone has wanted to happen, which is repurpose and get the Englewood Theater live, maintained, and open for public use, public benefit,” said group president Brent Schondelmeyer.

Formerly known as the KC Opry, the venue hosted artists like Loretta Lynn, George Strait, and Garth Brooks before it ran movies in the 1990′s. As for what the space will become, that’s still up for discussion.

“I would love to see this become a performing arts theater again and not just, I mean to bring concerts back,” said Williams.

The city of Independence is funding a feasibility study to evaluate potential operating costs and decide the best use of both the theater and Ben Franklin Five and Dime which they say have sat dormant for years.

“Those tend to be black eyes on a revitalization effort and anytime we can get those put back to their original use or get new uses into them, that’s gonna help the neighborhood as a whole,” said city manager Charlie Dissell.

The group does acknowledge previous attempts to acquire the theater have been unsuccessful with other groups. However, they cite the success of the neighboring Englewood Arts Center as a hopeful indication for their efforts.

“Imagine a big gaping hole if that building were gone and just sort of sitting there. It’s a community asset but only to the degree that it can be properly maintained and opened up and used for activities that benefit the community,” said Schondelmeyer.

The group said their fundraising goal is $1 million which will cover initial costs of insurance and utilities. The scheduled closing date of the theater is in May.

A community input meeting is being held at the Englewood Arts Center on March 10 where people can weigh in on what they feel the future of the buildings should look like. More information about the Friends of Englewood Theater can be found on their website.

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