McFiler's Chehalis Theater

558 N. Market Boulevard,
Chehalis, WA 98532

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Tom Moyer Luxury Theatres

Architects: Bjarne H. Moe

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Pix Theatre, Chehalis Theater

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News About This Theater

Auditorium interior looking towards projection booth

Originally constructed in the late-1920’s as a car dealership, it was not a movie theatre until its conversion on December 7, 1938 to the Pix Theatre, screening Bob Hope in “Thanks for the Memory”.

In 1958, the theatre was renovated and renamed the Chehalis Theater. Tom Moyer Luxury Theaters bought it in 1980 and closed it in 1984. It was converted into a videotape rental store that same year and operated until 1994, when the video store finally folded.

The Chehalis Theater sat empty and neglected for two years until local theater buff Daryl Lund purchased the theater and restored it to its full glory. Original Art Deco light fixtures were found in the attic, restored, and re-installed in the auditorium. Brand new seats, a new snack bar, new projector, new lamphouse, and digital sound were added. The marquee was repainted and many sections of neon were repaired or replaced.

The Chehalis Theater closed in December 2008, two months after a ten-screen multiplex opened outside of town. It was reopened in late-2016 offering live performances and classic movies.

It closed again in December 2020 to be restored and a planned reopening in Summer of 2022 as an events center named McFiler’s Chehalis Theater.

Contributed by Ken Layton

Recent comments (view all 19 comments)

KenLayton
KenLayton on April 21, 2009 at 6:46 pm

The Chehalis Theater is set to reopen in May 2009 as a second run theater.

KenLayton
KenLayton on July 6, 2011 at 8:53 pm

The theater is still closed.

KenLayton
KenLayton on February 15, 2014 at 6:47 pm

Theater is still closed, but does have a video projector installed in addition to the original 35mm film equipment.

Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on February 16, 2014 at 6:29 am

Are there any plans to reopen? And do you mean a digital video projector?

KenLayton
KenLayton on May 29, 2016 at 7:40 pm

The theater has been sold and the new owners plan to re-open this theater sometime in August 2016. The Centralia Chronicle has a story about this:

http://www.chronline.com/the-show-will-go-on-at-the-chehalis-theater-after/article_e5db8fec-2366-11e6-96cd-471952e64608.html

G Theatre
G Theatre on March 26, 2017 at 11:09 am

This Theatre is OPEN and has some fantastic things going on! Owner and staff are very friendly and gave me a tour. It’s worth the drive to come and check them out. Let’s change status to “OPEN”

moax429
moax429 on July 21, 2018 at 3:09 am

What was that painting on the ceiling of the auditorium? It looked like Tom and Jerry (and maybe Little Lulu?).

KenLayton
KenLayton on May 11, 2021 at 6:17 pm

As of December 2020, the theater has changed hands again and has a new website: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiw-fHS-8LwAhXT854KHbSFByYQFjAEegQIIxAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmcfilerschehalistheater.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw3SL0vK8Y6zqgS2MEdhJV7p

Also has a facebook page:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiw-fHS-8LwAhXT854KHbSFByYQFjAAegQIAhAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmcfilerschehalistheater%2F&usg=AOvVaw1hKZ-bgWXC5FaysFNOiDMZ

Some seats were removed and large tables installed in their place.

JackCoursey
JackCoursey on April 15, 2022 at 8:10 pm

The theatre is again going through dramatic changes in the interior and restoration on the exterior. It is scheduled to reopen the summer of 2022 as the McFiler’s Chehalis Theater, an event centre.

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