Fleur Cinema & Café

4545 Fleur Drive,
Des Moines, IA 50321

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rivest266
rivest266 on September 7, 2023 at 11:25 am

Reopened by Fridley Theatres on September 8th, 2023

“The Fleur Cinema & Café and Fridley Theatres Announce Plans to Reopen Des Moines, IA (July 14th , 2023) – The Fleur Cinema & Café and Fridley Theatres have signed an agreement to reopen the iconic southside movie theatre. “We are excited to operate and partner with The Fleur in its reopening. Our goal is to have the facility open prior to October 1st,” said Russell Vannorsdel, President of Fridley Theatres.

Fridley Theatres operates 17 locations and 95 screens across the state of Iowa. Robert “Bob” Fridley, its founder, had long been a presence in the Des Moines movie landscape, owning several theatres in the metro. “We love The Fleur’s history and atmosphere,” said Vannorsdel, “and we look forward to honoring its legacy and rich tradition of moviegoing.”

The Fleur Cinema & Café was opened and founded by Michael Coppola in 2001, who also previously operated the cinema. It has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic. “I cannot think of a better company to be the steward of this theatre into the future,” said Coppola. “I knew Bob Fridley, and he was one of the kindest men I’ve ever met. A true gentleman who loved the movies and embodied the business.”

The Fleur Cinema & Café will reopen in time for the fall Oscar season, when it will showcase various Academy Award contenders. It will continue to provide the highest quality pictures, exceptional service, and unmatched experience that has made it a staple in the Des Moines area for nearly two decades."

Logan5
Logan5 on June 13, 2022 at 11:55 pm

“The Rocketeer” was presented at the Fleur 4 (Auditorium #4?) beginning on the film’s nationwide release date, Friday June 21, 1991.

MSC77
MSC77 on December 31, 2021 at 1:22 pm

Here’s a new 4-page 50th anniversary FIDDLER ON THE ROOF retrospective featuring a roadshow playdate chronology and historian Q&A. The Fleur’s lengthy run is mentioned in the piece.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 12, 2016 at 12:30 pm

October 26th, 2001 grand reopening ad in photo section.

CJ1949
CJ1949 on May 31, 2016 at 12:42 pm

the opening may have to be double-checked. An article in the Des Moines Register on Oct. 26, 2001 says “opening today”

rivest266
rivest266 on December 1, 2015 at 4:56 am

December 14th, 2001 grand opening ad in photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 26, 2012 at 4:00 pm

November 25th, 1970 grand opening ad has been uploaded here in the photo section.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on August 13, 2010 at 12:38 am

Poor JV: it was actually Essaness. (I think I remembering reading somewhere that this was a name created by phonetically rendering “S & S” – the first letters of the original owners' last names).

A recent story, with video, about this cinema: http://www.kcci.com/r/24606787/detail.html

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 22, 2009 at 10:06 pm

That should read “Esseness” rather than Essanass. My mind has been wandering into Beavis and Butthead territory again.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 22, 2009 at 6:46 pm

The Fleur Four Theatre was actually opened in 1970, and was originally operated by Dubinsky Brothers Theatres. The November 2, 1970, issue of Boxoffice Magazine said that Irwin Dubinsky had spent the day of October 26 checking on the progress of the Fleur Four, and that the planned opening date was November 18. The new four-plex would have 1,250 seats.

The Dubinsky circuit, based in Lincoln, Nebraska, grew rapidly in the 1970s. They apparently operated the Fleur Four until the company was bought out by Chicago-based Excellence Theatres (formerly Essanass Theatres) in 1989. At the time of the sale, Dubinsky operated 127 screens. Carmike Cinemas took over management of Excellence Theatres in 1992.

Logan5
Logan5 on May 22, 2009 at 5:08 pm

Zip code is 50321 for what it’s worth.

Logan5
Logan5 on May 22, 2009 at 5:06 pm

The Fleur 4 Theatre was open at least as early as the spring of 1974 as I remember seeing Disney’s “Superdad” there then.