New owners take over theater
Published 10:22 am Thursday, October 2, 2008
The timing was perfect. The North Bend Theatre was for sale and Jim and Cindy Walker had been mulling over the idea of owning their own business for a while.
The opportunity to purchase a landmark Valley business came at an ideal time for the Walker family, Cindy said, giving them a chance to contribute and be involved with the community they love.
The Walkers became official owners of the North Bend Theatre on May 18.
Understanding and appreciating the role the theater plays in the community, the Walkers plan to maintain the family-friendly atmosphere created by Brian and Karlene Slover, who bought and renovated the theater in 1999.
They will continue to present first-run family films “with an eye toward switching movies out a little more often [than in the past],” Jim said.
Future plans include using the theater as a venue for holding end-of-the-season sports team parties. “We can play DVDs on the big screen – it would be a great format for teams to celebrate, watch season highlights and have pizza,” Cindy commented.
The Walkers hope to use the theater for other types of teen parties, as well. “We envision the theater as a gathering place for teens,” Cindy said. “We want to give kids a safe place to hang out with appropriate boundaries.”
Women will be excited to learn that the Walkers are hoping to have a monthly “Mom’s Night Out” at the theater, possibly partnering with a local restaurant.
Film festivals, talent shows and corporate meetings are also on the agenda for the future.
“We want to look at expanding offerings in off-peak times, utilizing the theater more in terms of other events, possibly hosting themed events,” Jim said.
The Walkers moved to North Bend from the Los Angeles area in 2000 after Jim received a transfer in the financial services industry. They were looking for the perfect place to raise their young daughters – a city with a small-town look and feel, as well as beautiful scenery and outdoor opportunities – and North Bend fit the bill.
Their three daughters attend Mount Si High School: Kali is a senior; Katelyn is a sophomore; and Kelsey is a freshman.
Jim recently took a sabbatical and re-evaluated his career. “After 25 years in the financial services business, Jim decided to take some time off,” Cindy said. “He spent quality time with the girls and started exploring other business options.”
With three busy teenage girls all going in different directions, the theater will provide a base; a place for the Walkers to continue to stay involved with their daughters, their friends and their community in a fun environment.
The North Bend Theatre has long been known for the upstanding young people it employs. “These young people are truly the heart and soul of the theater,” Cindy emphasized. “They represent the best of what North Bend has to offer and are shining examples of the potential for kids growing up in this community.”
Karlene Slover quietly put the theater up for sale about six months ago. After her husband Brian’s passing in 2003, Karlene ran the theater with the help of her family and loyal staff.
Karlene and her three children are leaving the Valley this summer to move to Seattle, and Karlene will be married in the fall.
“Obviously, I want the community to continue to support the theater,” Karlene said. “The Walkers are a wonderful family and the good thing for me is that they want to keep it the same community-oriented theater my husband and I designed it to be.”
Family friends, the Walkers and Slovers met through their children. “We are very grateful to Karlene and her family – they did a great job with the theater,” Cindy said. “We are so appreciative to her for this opportunity.”
The Walkers are excited to take on this new role. Enthusiastic about the possibilities, Jim said he has a whole legal pad filled with ideas for the theater. “I see the theater as a place for the community to come together.”
