New 400 Theater bring affordable movies back to Rogers Park

Residents of Rogers Park now have a way to see first run movies for only a few dollars right in their neighborhood. The Village North Theater, somewhat affectionately referred to by Rogers Park residents as the “ghetto-plex,” has had a much needed facelift and is now The New 400 Theater.

The facility had fallen to disrepair and closed at the beginning of 2009. The building dates from 1914 when the theater was originally called The 400.

The theater, which re-opened its doors this July after three months of remodeling, is now equipped with $400,000 of renovations including brand new screens, new carpeting and rebuild 35 millimeter projectors.


The crew even discovered architectural gems beneath the curtains in some of the theaters. The concrete faces that match the embellishments on the exterior are now exposed and lit up for patrons to admire.

“It was a mess and we’re proud of the way it turned out. It may not look like much now, but if you saw it before and then you saw it now you’d understand,” says Tom Klein, general manager and projectionist of the New 400.

Klein was hired by the owner of the theater building that also houses a Starbucks and a Thai restaurant, for the work he and his brother did years ago in restoring The Vic Theater to the popular concert venue and home of the “Brew-n-View” film series.

“The main thing was to turn the image around and keep the patio here clean so people would want to come. It’s an uphill battle to win back the local people who stopped coming here.”

Klein is excited to bring a movie theater back to the neighborhood and to restore a landmark venue to Rogers Park. The owners hope it will have a positive impact on the other businesses in their building and the surrounding area.

“I’ve spent my whole life in the entertainment business. I love seeing people come through the doors to see a movie or a live show. That’s the name of the game, getting people in seats and having a good time. And hopefully paying for it,” Klein laughs.

The owners plan to one day try and include a film festival or live performances but for now are just showing movies. Despite the costs of remodeling, the New 400 will keep the famous $5 price tag on first run movies for matinees, seniors and children.

Loyola student Eileen Stapleton, 21, recalls what the theater was like before the remodel, “It always had a shady feeling but everybody came here because it was right by Loyola and it was cheap. They didn’t have very good movies. They had the same ones for what seemed like a month.”

Stapleton now works at the theater and says that the evening shows are crowded and that patrons are excited about the new conditions, “it seems like everybody is really happy that it’s open and close.”

“It’s good to see the theater active again and that the owner has taken such steps to improve the interior and exterior,” said Michael Land, element staff member for Ald. Joe Moore of the 49th ward. “It’s going to be a good asset for the area and positive for the neighborhood.”