The Leader-Telegram dropped a bomb of a story today. Gene Grengs' entire Chippewa Valley theatre empire (of three theaters) has pretty much been sold. This includes London Square Cinema, Cameo Budget Twin, and Gemini Drive-In. Gene just turned 80, so he feels it might be time to retire. This is pretty sad. I feel like I’ve been looking up the Grengs marque and mis-pronouncing it for my entire life.  And I feel this way because ... I have.

The Grengs family has been operating theaters around here since 1933 when his father and grandfather bought a movie house in Spooner. In the 1940s, Gene opened up the Hollywood Theatre in downtown Eau Claire (now Valleybrook Church). He also owned the State Theatre for a time back when it had a screen and not a stage. Gene humbly quipped to the L-T, “... the only thing I know how to do is cook popcorn and tear tickets.” (The man also knows how to make a boat load of money from showing Toy Story 3.)

But fear not! For the Grengs trio of theaters will most probably be sold to none other than Mike and Connie Olson who own Micon Cinemas out in Chippewa Falls. (The sale should happen on Friday.) I can’t think of a better guy to take over these theaters than Mike Olson. He’s been working in the business for 35 years, he managed Carmike Cinemas out at Oakwood Mall for a long time, and Micon is just a great theatre.

Besides renaming everything, Olson tells the L-T that he’s got some big plans. He sees major renovations for the London Square location (including a bigger lobby!). The Cameo Budget Twin will be renamed Downtown Cinema and stay a budget theatre, but may get some new attractions. And someday, he’d like to add a second screen to the Gemini Drive In.

So ... wow.