Elk Rapids Cinema Acquired by Foundation

By Art Bukowski | Nov. 1, 2023

The future of a beloved Elk Rapids movie theater appears to be secure after it was acquired by a downstate foundation.

Community members were concerned when the Elk Rapids Cinema was listed for sale a few months ago. Now, it’s been announced that the niece of longtime owner and operator Joe Yuchasz has sold the theater to the Chalfonte Foundation, a Detroit-based organization that works to end child poverty and support the wellbeing of children.

“We, the Chalfonte Foundation, just wanted to gush about how awesome Joe's family has been and thank them for helping us as we transition into our new role as a cinema owner,” the foundation wrote on a social media post on the cinema’s official Facebook page.

The foundation in a news release said that in addition to continuing to show films, it will establish an FM community radio station in the basement of the building. It also plans to add a three-story addition to the building with additional spaces for the community.

Comment