A beloved local movie theater chain began its story when Connie and Mike Olson met at a movie theater in Rice Lake and fostered their love for the industry. The pair now co-own Micon Cinemas, with two locations in Eau Claire and one in Chippewa Falls. Connie worked for UW-Eau Claire for 28 years as a typesetter, and since 2004 has devoted her life to providing a quality, fun, and friendly cinematic experience for Chippewa Valley movie lovers.

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What aspect of Micon Cinemas are you most proud of?

I would say I'm most proud that there is a Micon Cinemas. Mike and I met at the movie theater in Rice Lake and it was always our dream to come back to our home town and open our own theater. It took us almost 25 years, and it's in Chippewa Falls, but we never gave up on that dream and with the help of some key people and a lot of hard work we were able to open our own theater. 

What aspect of Micon Cinemas would you like to see improved upon?

We try to bring the latest and greatest in equipment and movies to the people of the Chippewa Valley. We have recliners and VIP Lounges just like the big cities. Right now we're working on bringing people back to our Downtown location. It's been a rough couple years there with building repairs and the shutdown for the pandemic. We don't want to see our local downtown cinema disappear, so we're working on ideas to keep it going. 

What place considers you a "regular"?

I would say the theaters at Micon see me the most. Even when I'm not working I like to go to a movie and eat at the lounge.

What frustrates you about the Chippewa Valley?

Probably the lack of parking Downtown Eau Claire. That's one of the issues our customers have there is finding a place that they can park for 2 plus hours to see their movie. They don't want to park blocks away, especially in the winter.

What's the best cultural experience you've had in the area?

I remember when I worked at the University and my kids were little. They had an International Day there and you could go around the main University building and taste different foods and see all these different cultures. It was the reason that my oldest daughter studied in Japan for a year.

What is your favorite local festival?

I like the International Fall Festival and the Jazzfest. Both of these are a lot of fun.

What is your favorite piece of local trivia?

I would say that a lot of people don't know that Micon is a combination of mine and my husband's name Mike and Connie. 

What is your death bed food?

Well, I got Covid in 2020 and lost my sense of taste and smell. It took almost a year to get it back to somewhat normal. The greatest thing was when I first started smelling the popcorn being made at the theater. I really enjoy a thin crust pepperoni with green olive pizza from our lounge and buttered popcorn and peanut M&Ms for dessert. My favorite meal, however, would be at my moms's salmon patties with mashed potatoes, cream gravy, and creamed peas. 

What was your last interaction with local law enforcement like?

I was working at the Downtown theater and we all thought the day was considered a holiday and told our customers they didn't have to worry there wouldn't be anyone ticketing their cars for parking over two hours. Apparently the young officer in the police car thought differently and was ticketing everyone on the street. Who knew you could get ticketed on a holiday?

Water Street or Downtown?

Downtown. I like all the things they are doing to the Downtown area to revitalize it.

South side or North side?

I live on the West side, but our kids all attended schools on the North side.

Book, TV show, or movie?

I don’t read too much or watch TV (I do like the HGTV channels though), but I do see quite a few movies. I think that I would recommend a really good kids movie like Sing 2. It has everything that the kids love. Animated characters who do funny things, and beautiful colors, but it has humor that the adults get. In the end the kids and the adults all enjoy the movie because the group comes together to cheer for a happy ending. You're never too old to go to an animated movie. 

What development around the city are you happy to see?

I like seeing all that's been done Downtown since we moved here. Seems like that area was losing businesses when we moved here in 1987 and everyone was going to the mall which was just opening. Now the Downtown is getting revitalized and the mall concept is changing. It will be interesting to see what all happens.

What part of town haven't you visited?

I think I've been pretty much everywhere in the Chippewa Valley. 

What other French word would you give Eau Claire?

La Maison (it means “Home”).