Link to The Argus-Press Daily Newspaper :: Owosso, Michigan, Shiawassee County 
No, “the dude” is fine. It’s a movie theater that isn’t.
Sad news from my hometown, Owosso. The historic Lebowsky Center was destroyed by fire last night. This was the movie theater when I was a kid that maintained its classic asthetic throughout its life. I believe I was in junior high school when the town built a new “cinemaplex” and the center was abandoned until the “Owosso Community Players” bought it and utilzed it for community plays.
This was the place where I saw movies like “ET” and remember being a little nervous about the mens room – you had to walk down this incredibly steep and deep stairwell into the basement in order to get to the toilets. Creepy! I also remember watching the bats circle above us while watchig movies. Then there was the great popcorn! This was real popcorn that didn’t taste like it was made last year.
What a sad loss for the town.
5 responses so far ↓
Jim // February 14, 2007 at 10:53 pm |
I remember seeing the Detroit Symphany Orchestra play the 1812. My first movie…Tarzan Lord of Greystoke. If Owosso had character in one building, it was the Joesph H. Lebowski Center.
Tami // February 15, 2007 at 12:42 am |
Do you remember when Star Wars came out and the line wrapped around the entire block? I loved going there- except for the bats! That is one of the only “gems” of Owosso- now that John Wesley is no more (e.g. the caverns) and original Sir Pizza is gone.
todd // February 16, 2007 at 10:26 pm |
You had me worried there for a moment. I thought someone dear to me had died….
Amy B // February 27, 2007 at 12:24 am |
I heard about it the day after it happened, but didn’t want to believe it. The photo makes it real. Yet another childhood shrine is no more.
chaz // January 20, 2008 at 12:54 am |
god how sad this is, i remember it as a play hall, some of my most fun memorys where there, it will be very much missed