A Houlton business owner acquired a century-old movie theater business and the building in which it’s housed in two deals that wrapped up earlier this month.
Northern Maine Media Inc. announced its acquisition of the Temple Theatre business in June 2023, and the recent deal includes the physical space.
The theater opened in 1919 and is one of the oldest, continuously operated businesses in Houlton, which has a population of 6,072 and is the Aroostook County seat.
Northern Maine Media is owned and led by Fred Grant, who operates local stations WHOU 100.1 FM radio, WHOU.live video streaming and Market Pizza, across the street from the theater.
The business purchase was prompted by the announcement by its previous owner, Charles Fortier, that he would soon close the theater, said Grant.
Up until recently, Grant was leasing the building from Fortier.
But some of the changes were substantial enough that it made better sense to buy the building. The purchase closed earlier this month.
The purchase price was not disclosed.
“Handing over the theatre to Fred and his team gives me great confidence for its future,” Fortier said in a news release at the time. “They appreciate the theatre’s historical significance and are willing to commit the necessary resources to its preservation and growth.”
Operations continued uninterrupted throughout the transitions.
Long history
Construction on the Temple Theatre, housed within the Masonic Block at 20 Market Square, began in 1918 under the design guidance of Edward J. Bolan, an architect from Boston.
The theatre was envisioned as part of a multifunctional building, with business offices on the second floor and a Masonic lodge on the third floor.
The theater opened in April 1919 with the screening of “A Perfect Lady,” using a hand-cranked projector accompanied by an eight-piece orchestra in the orchestra pit. Seating capacity was over 700.
In the early 1980s, the theater was split into two cinemas, each with seating capacity of about 400. The early 2000s brought renovations that included new seating, carpeting and paint and an enlarged lobby.
In 2014, the old 35 millimeter projectors were swapped out for digital projectors, an adaptation to the film industry, which had embraced digital formats. New sound and speaker systems were added.
Next-level upgrades
Grant said that he and Jason Howe, who is now the venue’s manager, sought not just to save the theater, but also to elevate its profile. The two have maintained the theater’s primary function as a movie hub, while expanding its offerings. That includes upgrades to the projection and sound systems, enhancements to concession offerings, adjustments to showtimes and the addition of live performances.
“We owe it to the Temple Theatre’s rich history and its central role in our community to invest in its future,” said Grant. “With improvements to its services and facilities, we believe the theatre will continue to be a vital part of our burgeoning downtown area.”
In 2024, two laser projectors and five heat pumps were installed. Outdated ductwork and HVAC systems were removed from the projection booth.
Additional improvements included the addition of beer and wine offerings and new screens for the two theaters.
Moving forward, plans are in the works to paint the interior, replace carpeting and renovate the streetside of the exterior façade,
“We have the original designs of the building,” said Grant. “We’re looking to upgrade how that presents itself.”
“Several hundred thousand dollars” have been spent on improvements so far, he said.
Building purchase
The purchases and the upgrades are being financed internally through loans from Grant’s other businesses.
“Acquiring the Masonic Building allows us to preserve a significant piece of Houlton’s heritage while implementing crucial upgrades that enhance our patrons’ experience,” said Grant.
In addition to physical upgrades, there have been new types of programs, which is expected to continue, said Howe.
“When we first took over, it was just movies,” said Howe. “But we’ve slowly tried to incorporate more content that we felt would be interesting and wanted by our communities.”
That includes live concerts and events such as karaoke nights.
“We are committed to maintaining the historical integrity of the Masonic Building while modernizing our facilities to meet contemporary standards,” said Grant.
