Owner breaks ground on Movie House

Lisa Clausen breaks ground on her movie house fourplex. photo by Jim Mitchell Lisa Clausen's "labor of love" took another step forward on Monday morning, January 17.

Crews broke ground for Sisters' first theater, Sisters Movie House, in the FivePine development on the east edge of town. The theater will face Highway 20, just east of Sisters Athletic Club.

Clausen's mission is to make the Sisters Movie House the cultural center of the community. To be completed next summer, the planned theater, according to Clausen, "will feature quality food, quality experience and quality environment."

The theater will include four screens showing a mix of first-run, independent, and documentary films. In addition, a movable structure will be available for "stage" shows. Clausen says, "There is an amazing amount of (film) content out there."

Sisters Movie House will include a café offering fare varying from "salad, sandwich, and wine" to "popcorn and soda."

The café will include a fireplace and décor that, according to Clausen, "Will make people comfortable to come in whether they see a movie or not."

Clausen is already working with Jon Renner's high school video production classes. A current project is to document the making and building of Sisters Movie House. The results will be shown at the opening of the theater.

Clausen has worked on her market plan for over two years, initially reviewing demographic and box-office data compiled by the National Association of Theater Owners.

She followed up by researching the annual reports and operating models of major theater chains.

In her travels from Oregon to Montana to New Mexico she concentrated on visiting resort communities and film festivals.

During her travels she met Carol Skinner, owner and operator since 1983, of "The Flicks" in Boise, Idaho. Clausen praised Skinner for her willingness to share information on all aspects of the business.

Clausen's business plan reflects much or what Skinner has shared.

Another contributor to Clausen's research was Scott Hicks, Portland-based theater equipment salesman.

Locals Juan Duarte (building design), Dennis McGregor (logo and image design) and Curt Kallberg (general construction) have committed to the project.

Clausen said she is "pretty confident" about her ambitious venture.