Wehrenberg Theatres
Encyclopedia
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
chain in America. It is a member of the National Association of Theatre Owners
National Association of Theatre Owners
The National Association of Theatre Owners is a trade organization based in the United States whose members are the owners of movie theaters. Most major theater chains are members, as are many independent theatre operators; collectively, they account for the operation of over 26,000 motion...
.
History
In 1904, Fred Wehrenberg explored the St. Louis World’s Fair and saw something that changed his life. The one-time blacksmith who ran a saloon/grocery/butcher shop saw a simple film clip of passengers riding a train while scenery rushed by in the background.The film inspired Fred to rent the former bakery next to his saloon, buy a piano and 99 kitchen chairs and launch the Cherokee Theatre in 1906. As silent movies flickered on the screen, Fred’s nephew drummed in the background while his wife, Gertrude, played piano in the pit.
The saloon doubled as the theatre’s de-facto concession stand, and many customers frequented both buildings. Business boomed, inspiring the Wehrenbergs to open a second venue, the Airdome.
The Airdome was St. Louis’ first open-air venue, basically a drive-in without cars. A screen was erected at one end of a fenced-in lot while an elevated projection booth was built across from it. Guests sat on folding chairs and benches placed on the bare ground. In the winter, a canvas tarp trapped the heat from potbellied stoves to keep guests warm.
The Wehrenbergs survived the Great Depression as the movie industry was more stable than most. Fred paved the way for success by calling on help from his family, and coming into his own as a showman. Years before “The Jazz Singer” premiered, Wehrenberg invented its own version of “talking pictures.” Local actors scripted dialogue for the silent films, then acted them out behind the screen. Early audiences were awestruck.
Fred also launched numerous promotions, including giveaways of china, glassware, flatware, turkeys and hams. These innovations ensured circuit success even during the city’s lean times.
Business boomed, and soon the Wehrenbergs expanded their theatre circuit. They sold their saloon so they could enter the movie industry full-time. They built St. Louis’ Best Theatre, the first building in the city constructed expressly for use as a motion-picture theatre.
Then, in 1948, Fred and his son-in-law, Paul Krueger, opened the first Wehrenberg Drive-In. The Drive-In was named “Ronnie’s” after six-year-old Ronald Paul Krueger, Paul’s son and Fred’s grandson. The Ronnie’s was the beginning of Ron’s lifelong association with the circuit. While still a boy, he ran the miniature train around the playground at Ronnie’s Drive-In, entertaining the small children in attendance. Fred debuted another family-friendly idea with pony rides at the 66 Drive-In. Grandson Ron was again in charge as he led the pony rides. Ron eventually worked as a carhop, usher and concessionaire before ultimately taking the helm as president of the company.
During the 50’s, the industry hit its first snag. Television and a post-war migration to the suburbs closed several indoor theatres. Fortunately, the Wehrenberg circuit could still ride the popularity of the drive-ins. Paul Krueger, who had taken over management of the circuit upon Fred Wehrenberg’s death in 1949, himself passed away in 1963. It was up to 23-year-old Ron Krueger was left to assume the circuit’s presidency and continue with his father’s plans. With the help of several loyal, long-time employees, Wehrenberg Theatres made it through the rough spots.
The 60’s and 70’s saw another surge in the industry. Multiplexes, theatres with two to six screens, became the popular choice of movie-goers. Wehrenberg’s Cinema Four Center in St. Charles was the first multiplex in the St. Louis area.
In the late 80’s and into the 90’s, the circuit started building megaplexes of ten or more screens.
The Arnold 14, the Jamestown 14 and the Mid Rivers 14 are prime examples of how Wehrenberg Theatres has changed with the times and kept up with the trends. Each new theatre continued the promise to its guests to provide the most advanced amenities available.
Wehrenberg also expanded outside the St. Louis area. New theatres opened their doors to guests in Springfield, MO, Osage Beach, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
The “Crown Jewel” of the circuit is the Ronnies 20. Located on the same site as the original Ronnies Drive-In, the huge megaplex pays homage to its roots with an “indoor drive-in theatre.” The “theatre” is a food court designed like a drive-in, complete with classic 50’s cars, a huge screen showing coming attractions and vintage drive-in shorts, and the pole speakers from the original Ronnies.
The Ronnies 20 also includes Max Flight, a virtual roller coaster and flight simulator. Other exciting activities fill Ronnies “Now Playing” Family Entertainment Center, including Bowlingo, smaller scaled bowling lanes, plus a variety of interactive video and redemption games.
Wehrenberg Theatres’ updates went beyond state-of-the-art buildings; they also upgraded the circuit by offering guests ticket purchasing via phone, web or theatre ATMs.
In 2004, Wehrenberg again grew in size and vision with two new theatres. The first, named the Galaxy 16, introduced Iowa to the circuit with its Cedar Rapids location. The second, named the Galaxy 14, is in Chesterfield, MO and boasts St. Louis’ largest screen, the Mega Screen.
Both “Galaxy” locations also are home to “Freds Drive-In,” a food court designed like nostalgic 50’s diners, but with current favorites like pizza, chicken fingers and a St. Louis tradition – toasted ravioli. They also feature “Now Playing” Family Entertainment Centers and separate party rooms, perfect for children birthdays.
Over the years, Wehrenberg Theatres has remained family-owned-and-operated. Ron Krueger continues today as Chairman and CEO, cementing Wehrenberg’s standing as the oldest family-owned-and-operated theatre circuit in the nation.
With its long history of innovation and ongoing desire to deliver superior service to all guests, Wehrenberg Theatres continues to be a leader in motion picture exhibition and to provide “entertainment excellence.”
Fred Wehrenberg's life was changed after he saw a short film at the 1904 World's Fair. He opened the Cherokee Saloon, a silent film theatre in 1906. The success of the Cherokee inspired Wehrenberg to open the Airdome, an open-air theater (a drive-in without cars).
The name of the corporation is Wehrenberg, Inc. The name under which it was originally organized was Normandy Theatre, Inc. The corporate name was changed from Normandy Theatre, Inc. to South Drive-In, Inc. South Drive-In, Inc. was merged with South Side Amusement Company, and the name of the surviving entity was changed to Wehrenberg, Inc.
Normandy Theatre, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
on the 12th of August in 1936 with an authorized capital stock of $30,000 divided into 300 shares. The first shareholders, each with 100 shares at $100.00 per share, were W. W. Kieselhorst, James S. McClellan, and Lewis H. Carsterphen.
Wehrenberg and his son-in-law, Paul Krueger, opened Ronnie's Drive-In Theater in 1948, named after Paul's son, Ron.
Wehrenberg opened their first multi-plex in St. Charles
Saint Charles, Missouri
St. Charles is a city in, and the county seat of, St. Charles County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 65,794, making St. Charles the 2nd largest city in St. Charles County. It lies just to the northwest of St. Louis, Missouri on the Missouri River, and, for a time,...
containing four theatres. This evolved into megaplexes, with ten or more screens. They have expanded from St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
to faraway cities such as Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Osage Beach
Osage Beach, Missouri
Osage Beach is a city in Camden and Miller counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 3,662 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Osage Beach is located at ....
, and Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Cape Girardeau is a city located in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in Southeast Missouri in the United States. It is located approximately southeast of St. Louis and north of Memphis. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 37,941. A college town, it is the home of Southeast Missouri...
. In 1999, Wehrenberg opened the Ronnie's 20 Cine at the same site of the original Ronnie's Drive-In, containing a replica of it with a huge screen, a snack bar, two-story arcade, several bowling lanes, three concession stands (although only one is open all the time), and stadium seating in all 20 screens. Ronnie's also has one IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
screen.
Ron Krueger I is the company's chairman and CEO, and Jim Hoffmeister is the company's president.
In 2005, Wehrenberg launched the MVP Card. Through buying tickets and concessions, points are added to the card, entitling the owner of the card to various free tickets and concessions. Currently, the rewards come every 450 points. Roughly 7 points are earned per dollar. A person would spend a bit over $64 to earn the next award.
In 2007, five theatres converted one of their screens to digital projection. More screens will follow. http://www.wehrenberg.com/presenting.aspx?pId=38
Greater St. Louis Area
- Arnold 14 - ArnoldArnold, MissouriArnold is the largest city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was estimated to be 20,603 in 2008, slightly more than the 19,965 number reported in the 2000 census.-Geography:Arnold is located at...
- Mid Rivers 14 - St. Peters
- Chesterfield Galaxy 14 - ChesterfieldChesterfield, MissouriChesterfield is a second-ring western suburb of St. Louis and is the largest city in west St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2010 census the population is 47,484. Chesterfield also celebrated its 20th birthday in 2008.- Geography :...
(Features the Mega Screen, the largest screen in the Midwest)* - O'Fallon 15 - O'Fallon, IllinoisO'Fallon, IllinoisO'Fallon is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States, and one of the fastest-growing communities in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 28,281. The city is the third largest city in the Metro-East and Southern Illinois...
* - Des Peres 14 - Des PeresDes Peres, MissouriDes Peres is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 8,373 at the 2010 census.-History:The first inhabitants of Des Peres were the Cahokia, the Kaskaskia, the Michigamea, the Moingwena, and the Tamaora Native American tribes....
* - Ronnies 20 - SappingtonSappington, MissouriSappington is an unincorporated census-designated place in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 7,580 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Sappington is located at ....
* - St. Charles Stadium 18 - St. CharlesSaint Charles, MissouriSt. Charles is a city in, and the county seat of, St. Charles County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 65,794, making St. Charles the 2nd largest city in St. Charles County. It lies just to the northwest of St. Louis, Missouri on the Missouri River, and, for a time,...
* - St. Clair 10 - Fairview Heights, Illinois
- Town Square 12 - Dardenne Prairie*
Missouri
- Campbell 16 - SpringfieldSpringfield, MissouriSpringfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
* - Osage Village 5 - Osage BeachOsage Beach, MissouriOsage Beach is a city in Camden and Miller counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 3,662 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Osage Beach is located at ....
- Cape West 14 - Cape Girardeau*
Minnesota
- Rochester Galaxy 14 - RochesterRochester, MinnesotaRochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
*
- Currently has one or more digital screens.