The historic Englewood Theater in Independence, Missouri, has sat empty since 2007, but the nonprofit that bought it is now aiming to break ground on renovations in early 2027. Friends of Englewood Theater purchased the building in 2025, and its leaders say turning the theater's neon marquee back on is one of the most exciting milestones still ahead.
From Kansas City Opry Stage to Nearly Two Decades Dark
Friends of Englewood Theater, led by Brent Schondelmeyer, hopes to make the Englewood operational again after it sat vacant for nearly 20 years, according to KCUR. The theater first opened in 1949 and later became known as the country music venue Kansas City Opry, which hosted performances by George Strait, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith and Garth Brooks before the building closed its doors in 2007. The group officially closed on the purchase for $600,000 in November 2025, as Kansas City Magazine reported at the time.
The building has since picked up a notable credential: it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation confirmed by KCTV5. That listing helped make the Englewood eligible for a 35% state historic preservation tax credit, and Schondelmeyer has said those credits provide the foundation for financing the project, with the nonprofit hoping to use them to help pay for the first phase of renovations.
What the First Phase Could Look Like
Architects have flagged reroofing and exterior brick repairs as immediate priorities to get the building watertight, per the account from KSHB. The nonprofit has partnered with Heran Companies, and DRAW Architecture has completed schematic designs and is now working on Phase One, according to Friends of Englewood Theater's own project updates. That initial phase could include lobby renovations, office space on the theater's mezzanine, and — in Schondelmeyer's words, the part he's most excited about — turning the theater's neon sign back on.
The nonprofit hopes to acquire the neighboring Ben Franklin store next, the same KSHB report noted. The group has secured the theater purchase and is fundraising, the outlet reported.
Smaller Seating, Bigger Ambitions
The redesigned theater is expected to seat 300 to 400 people, a sharp reduction from the more than 1,000 seats the original venue held, per Kansas City Magazine's reporting. Once finished, the nonprofit envisions the Englewood functioning as a movie theater, concert venue and space for live performances, according to KCTV5, capable of hosting everything from community plays and high school chamber groups to ballet performances, rock concerts and film screenings. Schondelmeyer has described the ambition in blunt terms, telling Fox4KC, “We imagine this being a new cultural hub for eastern Jackson County.”
Estimates for the full cost of restoration vary across reporting: KCTV5 has cited a range of $3 million to $5 million, while KMBC has reported a $3.5 million to $4.5 million estimate from the nonprofit.
A Horror-Movie Fundraiser With Local Roots
While the big construction push is still ahead, the nonprofit is hosting a nearer-term event to build support and raise funds. Friends of Englewood Theater will screen Todd Norris's 1998 horror film The Paranormal on October 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Independence — a fitting pick, since the film was actually shot at the Englewood Theater itself. Tickets cost $10, and proceeds will support the nonprofit's mission to bring the historic venue back to life.
A Regional Pattern of Theater Revivals
The Englewood's slow-motion comeback echoes another recent Kansas City theater revival. The Boone Theatre, built in 1924 and part of the 18th and Vine Jazz District, has officially reopened after sitting vacant for years, according to KMBC. That project underwent an extensive renovation designed to preserve as much of the original character as possible while preparing the space for modern use, and the reopened Boone now houses multiple tenants, including the Black Movie Hall of Fame and the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City. It stands as a regional example of what patient, historically minded renovation work can eventually deliver for a long-dark neighborhood landmark.
