RIVER FALLS – Falls Theatre on Main Street in River Falls expanding again following the most recent addition of a second auditorium. The new addition will be home to Bobtown Brewhouse, currently located in Roberts.

The news comes because owner Michelle Maher wants to expand the theatre’s offerings. Following challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic closures, she realized the business could benefit from having another form of service.

“We have to find ways to continue to stay relevant and ways to anchor our Main Street location which is our greatest asset,” Maher said.

The Falls Theatre, located at 105 S. Main St., has vacant space at the back of the building. This is where construction will start later this year on the restaurant and brewing area for Bobtown. The project will take about six months to complete.

The plan is for the dining area to overlook the Kinnickinnic River and enhance the back alleyway known as Riverwalk. Maher believes this expansion will help bring more life to that space and will give other businesses incentive to do the same.

“The space that we are using for this expansion behind Auditorium One sits high up and overlooks our Kinni, so it is beautiful, but the reality is that it is unfinished and the outer walls need to be supported, but we have that in place and are working on it,” she said.

Falls Theatre has been in Maher’s family for 50 years and she intends to keep the business thriving for many more – this partnership is a way to help do that. Another ef-

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Falls Theatre has been a fixture in downtown River Falls since it opened in 1927. A new partnership will bring Bobtown Brewhouse to the theatre, overlooking the Kinnickinnic River.

Photo courtesy of Falls Theatre BREWERY

From Page 1

fect of the COVID-19 pandemic is that movie theaters are not everyone’s first choice for seeing a new movie now that they can be streamed on platforms when first released. It’s about creating an experience, inviting people out of the comfort of their homes to spend time in a cherished River Falls institution.

The theater has reduced the number of seats in the main auditorium on a few occasions. “Theaters used to welcome 350 people a night in their theaters and we thought nothing of it, and I don’t even know how we would do that today,” Maher said. “Our original auditorium was over 400 seats and we reduced that to 365 in 2002, and then we reseated again and we are down to 175.”

With having less traffic in the theater to see films, the hope is collaborating with Bobtown Brewhouse will attract more people.

“As COVID hit we became increasingly aware of our need to create a space that had multi-use to it because people’s viewing habits have changed and they will forever be changed and we understand that,” Maher said.

The entire project will be completed by local businesses as well.

“We are using local construction with Ross and Associates and we are all living and working locally and Bobtown is moving to be local and that all rings in my heart because we are trying to stay local and provide local service,” Maher explained.

The expansion comes alongside other improvements within the theatre. Recently, they decided to invest in laser projectors for the best picture when watching movies. The new auditorium addition allowed the theater to show more than one film.

“Fewer than 10% of theaters run on lasers in the metro area because of the price, so we are one of them and it allows for more longevity of the projecting and a clearer and sharper image and a better light source,” she said.

Falls Theatre recently obtained a liquor license and will continue to serve wine and other alcoholic beverages after Bobtown Brewhouse opens in the back of the theater.

“With the expansion, Bobtown will be able to come in and have a larger brewing operation than they do currently and have seating, a private room, viewing deck. I think Bobtown will be a great fit,” said Maher.

Maher spent years brainstorming how to use the extra space in the back of the building. She had many ideas and the desire to expand.

“We have been working on many areas to make this a possibility and this all started with many years ago, my desire to expand behind my main auditorium and utilize that existing space that is just asking to be developed.” said Maher.

Maher believes that Falls Theatre and Bobtown Brewhouse are the perfect fit and collaboration and will be another unique addition to keep the downtown flourishing. Bobtown will also keep its Roberts location.