York Theatre Aims to Add a 10th Screen by the Holiday Season

One of the most recognizable sites in Elmhurst's City Centre began growing its presence in the community this week.

Construction of a 10th auditorium at York Theatre, 110 N. York St., began Tuesday, sparking an expansion that Classic Cinemas President Willis Johnson said has been on his mind for four to five years.

"Hollywood is putting out a lot of product, and it’s challenging for us with nine screens to be able to play all the product, or play it in necessarily a timely fashion," Johnson said. "We could use a couple more auditoriums, but we only have room for one more."

Johnson declined to disclose the cost of construction, but the building does come at the expense of a small parking lot behind the theater allocated to employees of nearby businesses.

"I can tell you we lost our entire parking lot ... (but) it's not really affecting business," said an employee at nearby Enzee Boutique, who declined to be named. "When it's all said and done, (an additional screen) will help the business with more foot traffic."

Johnson said building expenses come entirely out of Classic Cinemas' pocket, with no public funds from the city going toward the project.

The new auditorium will seat approximately 180 moviegoers, and is expected to be completed by the end of October, or no later than mid-November.

"So we're ready for the Christmas season," Johnson said.