The beloved, historic theater that had enlightened residents of the Uptown area of Minneapolis with showings of independent films, foreign language pieces and screening classic midnight movies since opening in 1916, now faces eviction.
Lagoon Partners, LLC, sent a notice on May 4 regarding its failure to pay rent and had demanded payment in full by May 17. According to Lagoon Partners, LLC, the payment was never received by the demanded date. On May 18, they filed an eviction complaint which states Landmark Theatres owes more than $340,000 in unpaid rent, operating expenses and fees.
Having been a part of the community for nearly 10.5 decades, eviction hasn’t been the only hurdle this theater has faced. It opened its doors in 1916 under the name of Lagoon Theatre only to be renamed Uptown Theatre and remodeled in 1929.
An unfortunate fire broke in the ventilation system on April 25, 1939, during Trade Winds and had to be completely rebuilt due to damage. For seven months in 2012, the Uptown closed down for a remodel then reopened in September. In March 2020, they temporarily closed their doors due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
I hope the theater opens back up! Sad to see places like this get so wrecked :'(