History: The Theatre That Gave Lombard The Stars!

The DuPage Theatre and Shoppes once played an important role in the downtown as an attraction for residents of Lombard as well as theater patrons from all over the country. It was considered to be a superb example of the 1920s atmospheric theater design by R.G. Wolff of the Rapp & Rapp architecture firm of Chicago, Illinois. Made famous by John Eberson and often integrating other styles of the time, the Atmospheric style was designed as a beautiful optical illusion that imbued the theater-goer with the sensation of being transported to the skies, villages and lands brought forth through murals, twinkling stars, staircases, lanterns and much more.

The DuPage Theatre opened its doors to the public on July 26th of 1928. The opening feature, "The Yellow Lily," with actress Billy Dove and actor Clive Brook proved a crowd-gatherer. The theater was constructed at a cost of $300,000 and originally held a seating capacity of 1,400. The decision to name the theater after the county was made as such to appeal to all of the surrounding communities. Later the name was shortened to the "Dupe." The DuPage was also home to a variety of local shops, including a delicatessen, candy shop, shoe store, hat shop, radio store, and realty company. Each store gaining the popular attention brought from the theater. The Dupe remained a formidable entertainment and commercial complex throughout the Great Depression and World War II.

The structure was built in 1928, remodeled in the late 1950s and partially occupied with periodic vacancies up until 1998. In 1987, The DuPage Theatre and Shoppes was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the theatre experienced and era of disrepair. It was turned into a multiplex in order to take in more revenue as a second-run movie house offering inexpensive ticket prices to patrons. At different points during this time, the theatre was closed due to building code violations.

In 1998, Big Idea Productions, Inc., a creator of educational children’s videos, to purchase the property and restore the 70-year old facility into a corporate headquarters complex, including a 68,000 square foot office building, restaurant and studio store. Unfortunately, the company determined that the site would not be large enough to accommodate its anticipated growth and withdrew its plans.

A redevelopment agreement with the Village provided for the donation of the parcels to the Village of Lombard in a land trust, giving the Village the sole and exclusive power of direction and control over the trust. The Village of Lombard accepted full ownership of the property in October 2000.

The Village Board appointed citizen committee identified as The DuPage Theatre and Shoppes Ad Hoc Committee initiated the project surrounding the theater and shops in January 2001. The seven- (7) member committee was appointed based upon their expertise, experience, and interest in the matters to be addressed. The Committee investigated and analyzed the commercial and economic feasibility and desirability of rehabilitating, establishing, operating and maintaining the DuPage Theatre and Shoppes as a viable arts/commercial facility.

A second Ad-Hoc committee was convened to further address the use of the DuPage Theatre and Shoppes. Later, another committee, The DuPage Theatre Foundation was formed to bring in a developer and lay out plans for what would be the entertainment destination in the Village of Lombard and surrounding communities. Unfortunately, the political wrangling over the particulars of the redevelopment plan and changes in the Lombard Village Board over time led to a Trustee vote to raze the DuPage Theatre. In May of 2007, after two lawsuits were brought against the village's decision, the DuPage Theatre was demolished.