Locals Hopeful Allen Theatre Can Fill Entertainment Needs Once Again

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It has been over five years since South Gate has been without its historic and notorious Allen Theatre to provide locals with entertainment. A place that for a long time showed classic films on its only screen and later on hosted live rock shows. 

But now, the place that holds an array of memories from first kisses to first jobs, may be opening its doors to the community once again. 

Olga Kerr, 72, the theatre's owner since 2000, is aware of the community's desire to see the theatre reopen again and has began a process of renovating the outside of the building.

“We are going to have a new marquee, the front will be beautiful,” said Kerr.

According to Kerr, the marquee will be done within the next couple of weeks and hopes to keep it in its historic format. Kerr also said that the front doors to the theatre have just recently been replaced. 

Kerr hopes to open up the theatre as a place for live music performances, but also a place where schools can perform plays. 

“If we reopen this theater it will give young people something to do,” said Kerr. “That is what I would love to do.” 

Having been an occassional theatre-goer for rock and ska tunes at the Allen, 24-year-old South Gate resident, Fernando Hernandez is excited about the possibility of the theatre opening up again and offering new entertainment options.

"I'm a person that enjoys any type of art...as long as the art world is still alive in South Gate," said Hernandez.

Kerr also hopes to make it a venue where films can be shown, though there are no immediate plans due to the costs associated with purchasing a projector and accompanying equipment.

No matter what type of venue the theatre becomes, next door business owner, and daughter of Kerr, Jackie Farfan is just happy that the place will be up and running again.

"Anytime there is a vacant building, it hurts the community," said Farfan, owner of Yuri's Records. 

Farfan believes the theatre has potential to bring in a crowd as people still talk about it in popular social media sties such as Facebook and Yelp.

She recently posted a photo of the theatre on her Facebook page and has received hundreds of "likes" and comments.

"A lot of people remembered it from their first movies to their first kiss," said Farfan. 

Though Kerr has taken steps to repair the outside of the theater, the inside still remains relatively empty of seats, technical equipment and even toilet seats due to problems between the city and the person leasing the theatre from her a few years ago. 

At this point, Kerr is waiting to hear from the city regarding the inside of the building and hopes she can receive help from city personnel in order to help revamp the historical site.

“I need the city’s support,” said Kerr. “Every single small city is proud to have its small theater.”

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