Goodbye Ogden 6 Theatre?

Does Naperville, Lisle, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Woodridge, Glenn Ellyn and Lombard REALLY need to prepare for the end of Ogden 6 Theatre?

Matt Dubiel from AM 1530 WCKG radio spoke with Chris Johnson, the CEO of Classic Cinemas (based in Downers Grove) about the recent news The Ogden 6 Theatre in Naperville might be closing to make way for Naperville’s second Costco.

This news comes on the heals of a massive $1.5 million upgrade to the Ogden 6 Theatre. That’s a tough pill to swallow for any business, in any climate.

Matt takes some time to chat with Chris about growing up in Downers Grove, landing in the movie business, working through high school, The Tivoli bowling alley, the Tivoli Hotel and of course the Tivoli Movie Theatre in downtown Downers Grove.

Mr. Johnson shares the history of Classic Cinemas, and his story starting as a 7th grader working at the Tivoli, and Downers Grove Schwinn, to now running the new family business as the CEO.

If you’d like to skip ahead to the conversation about the future of the Ogden 6, what happened with Costco, where the Naperville Board stands on this process and what Chris Johnson plans to do about it, start listening at 21:00.

Otherwise, press play and enjoy an American success story about a company with a heart.

“There’s nothing like a Costco, and there’s nothing like 2 Costcos.” – Chris Johnson, CEO Classic Cinemas, parent company of The Odgen 6 Theatre on Ogden Avenue in Naperville.