A Look Back…A Look Ahead.

Community members enjoying some holiday fun watching the movie, Elf.

The LaSalle Theatre has officially been reopened for private event rentals for just over a year. It’s been a year of learning, beautiful events, relationship building, and yes, challenges. But we’ve entered into 2020 with momentum and lots to look forward to.

The LaSalle is rooted in history. Some of the coolest moments in the last year have been hearing from folks with fond memories of the last movie they saw there, talking with a married couple who shared their first kiss under the marquee, and meeting a man who ran the films up to the projection room when he was only fourteen. LaSalle Theatre has been a staple in the Collinwood area for close to a century and with any luck it will not only make it into its second century, but long beyond.

Many wonderful events took place at the LaSalle in these first fifteen months. Non-profits such as New Avenues to Independence and Little Giants held benefit events that helped raise funds for their organizations, while Enterprise Community Partners celebrate their 30th anniversary, Crain’s Cleveland awarded ‘Forty Under 40,’ and The Cleveland Eye Clinic recognized the work of their teams. Another area landmark, Villa Angela St. Joseph, hosted their annual gala at the theatre in February last year. Gracing the LaSalle stage in October was a fashion show applauding the courage of breast cancer patients and survivors hosted by Be Elegantly Strong Throughout. LaSalle also opened its doors to the local community for two fun events in partnership with the Greater Collinwood Development Corporation – the Collinwood Connects Neighborhood Family Feud Finale and the holiday movie showings of Elf. We also helped two local couples celebrate their nuptials with a ceremony and reception in our historic space!

Establishing relationships with those in the nearby community and those throughout greater Cleveland have been an important part of this past year, as well. City of God Church has become one of our strongest partnerships as their Sunday service was our first ever weekly rental. Caterers such as Taste of Excellence and Normandy have helped us round out our recommended vendor list, while our new listing in Today’s Bride will help put us on the map as a wedding venue. Connections that will support our goal of hosting more arts-based events for the community are also being developed. 

The LaSalle’s trajectory is positive. New amenities will be rolling in, plans for additional parking are underway, and events are being scheduled regularly. The beautiful renovation of the LaSalle Theatre gives us hope that we can both hold onto our memories and look ahead to a sustainable future. 

Information on renting the LaSalle Theatre can be found on our website at LaSalleCLE.com, or by calling 216-860-0473. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @LaSalleTheatreCLE.

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Volume 12, Issue 2, Posted 5:31 PM, 02.05.2020