The Heights Theater is a historic theater in Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,520 people, 8,033 households, and 4,731 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,368.7 people per square mile . There were 8,151 housing units at an average density of 2,362.9 per square mile...

. The Theater touts itself as "the Twin Cities longest continuously operated show house."

Location

It is located approximately three blocks from Columbia Heights' border with Minneapolis on Central Avenue

Minnesota State Highway 65

Minnesota State Highway 65 is a highway in east-central and northeast Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with Washington Avenue at the north end of downtown Minneapolis and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S...

. The Heights Theater celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2006 with a limited run of historic films. It often runs Oscar-nominated and winning films in the weeks near the Academy Awards

Academy Awards

An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...

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History

The theater was built in the Beaux Arts style in 1926. According to the theater’s website, "The Heights has survived at least three fires, one bombing and "The Big Blow of 1949" when a Fridley tornado twisted the tower sign. " The Heights Theater originally ran vaudeville acts as well as first-run movies.

During the 1980s and early 1990s the theater was left in disarray though it remained open. It ran late run movies at a discount price. The City of Columbia Heights supposedly recommended the theater to be condemned. Renovations began in the mid 90's. Tom Letness and David John Holmgren purchased the theater in 1998. The two men, who also own the neighboring Dairy Queen, finished renovations at The Heights.

They reintroduced a Wurlitzer

Wurlitzer

The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....

 Pipe Organ courtesy of local radio station WCCO-AM

WCCO-AM

WCCO is a radio station located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The station broadcasts on a clear-channel frequency and is owned by CBS Radio. The station's studios are located in downtown Minneapolis, while its transmitter is located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.With 50,000 watts of power, WCCO's...

. The renovation also included the addition of "antique chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling restored with 2600 Egyptian lead crystals", as well as new carpet, remodeled bathrooms and a new lobby. The outside of the theater was renovated thanks to the theater's original blueprints that were discovered by the University of Minnesota.

Today the theater runs first-run films as well as special events. The Heights Theater also adorns the street light banners that welcome people to Columbia Heights.