By Mandy McFarland Editor
NAPPANEE — After months of hard work and a year of planning, the Nappanee Theatre is once again a bright spot downtown.
With a brand-new light-up marquee and restored facade, the theatre welcomes moviegoers in 1920s-era style, when it was built.

The project was the brainchild of the Nappanee Redevelopment Commission, made up of several long-time Nappanee residents who remember going to the theater as children.
To celebrate the theater’s new look, the commission hosted a special gala, which began at the Nappanee Public Library across the street. Guests enjoyed refreshments and a special presentation at the library before heading across the red carpet, provided by theater next-door neighbor Graber’s Flooring Studio, to the theater for a word from Nappanee Councilperson Jan Brown and an exclusive showing of “Casablanca.” Brown spoke of her childhood memories of going to the theater with her grandmother, who she said “absolutely never missed a movie.”
Back then, Brown said, the movies changed three times a week, thanks to what she called the “bicycle route.” Once the theater was done showing at the Nappanee Theater, an employee would deliver it to another nearby theater, perhaps in Auburn or Laporte. In turn, someone would deliver the next movie to the Nappanee Theater, where it would be waiting in the lobby the next morning, ready to show.
Brown also recalled the day when going to the theater was a highlight of the week, and admission was just 50 cents for adults and 20 cents for kids.
“This is what you did for entertainment in Nappanee, Ind.,” she said. “You came to the theater, you went to a ball game ... you went to Teen Town and you went to church.”
Today, Brown still visits the theater with her husband.
“I’m looking forward to many years of coming here,” she said.
After “Casablanca,” the guests moved outside, where the Nappanee Police Department had blocked off Main Street, to watch as the new marquee lit up for the first time.
For owners Bob and Shirley Adams, the new look is something they could never have even dreamed of just a year ago.
“It’s nice, we love it,” Shirley said. “It’s like a dream that’s come true.”
Bob Adams feels the new marquee and facade will help keep the theater a thriving part of the community for years to come.
“It’s too good to be true,” he said. “I’m still in disbelief. It’s a good thing for the theater; I think it’ll help it stay a theater for a long time.”
Bob thanked his many employees and his family, who help with the workings of the theater.