Strand Theatre (Closed)
Sturgis, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Check out the Strand Theatre, located in Sturgis, MI. The Strand still features an intact blade sign, that may or may not be neon these days. Check out the front marquee with a design popular with the theatres of the same era. The Strand is now a four screen multiplex still showing first run movies. See the Strand Theatre official website for more information. 02-08

For more than a hundred years, the Strand Theatre was one of the anchors of downtown Angola. Standing on the town square with its bright neon marquee, it was the kind of place that made Main Street feel alive after dark. Looking at this photo, it's easy to picture families gathering on a Friday night, kids clutching popcorn, and movie posters promising the next great adventure behind those front doors. 02-08

The Strand
Sturgis, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Strand opened in 1914 and quickly became part of everyday life in the community. It survived the silent movie era, welcomed the arrival of talking pictures, weathered the Great Depression, and continued entertaining audiences through generations of Hollywood classics and blockbuster films. While many small-town theaters disappeared long before the turn of the century, the Strand kept going, becoming a familiar landmark for anyone who grew up in Angola.

The Strand
Sturgis, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

For many local residents, the theater was about more than the movies themselves. It was where first dates began, where kids spent Saturday afternoons, and where families returned year after year. Longtime owner Dana Thompson became part of that experience as well. He was often found outside the theater visiting with customers, chatting with people walking through downtown, and even keeping dog treats on hand for neighborhood pets making their evening rounds. Those little traditions are the kind of things that can never be duplicated.

In the end, the Strand wasn't defeated by a lack of history or community support. It simply ran headfirst into the same challenge that forced hundreds of independent theaters across America to close. As Hollywood abandoned traditional 35mm film in favor of digital projection, the cost of modern equipment became more than many small operators could afford. After 102 continuous years of showing movies, the Strand screened its final feature, Star Trek Beyond, on September 4, 2016. When the credits rolled, an era quietly came to an end.

Strand Theatre
Angola, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

For a while it seemed uncertain what would become of the old building. Fortunately, it wasn't left to deteriorate. The owners of neighboring Sutton's Deli purchased the property, recognizing that such an important piece of downtown deserved another future. Their plans began with preserving the historic structure itself, replacing windows, restoring the building, and exploring new uses that would keep it part of the life of the town.

Strand Theatre
Angola, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Although the familiar marquee has since disappeared and the projector will never flicker again, the building still occupies its longtime place on the square. Sometimes saving the building is just as important as saving the business. Every old theater that survives gives future generations one more chance to appreciate the streetscapes that once defined small-town America.

UPDATE: The Strand Theatre remains permanently closed, but the historic building is being preserved by the owners of neighboring Sutton's Deli as part of downtown Angola's continuing revitalization. 07-26