Historic Broadway Theater gets new sign
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – It was an exciting morning in downtown Cape Girardeau Wednesday.
People lined the streets to see the new sign unveiled for the Broadway Theater.
Dozens of people and city leaders celebrated the big reveal marking the latest historic moment in this theater’s legacy and the building’s bright future ahead.
People stood shoulder to shoulder on the corner of Broadway and South Ellis to see the legendary Broadway theater’s new sign unveiled.
It is the latest step in the theater’s storied history.
Liz Haynes, the executive director of Old Town Cape, says the building will be home to several new businesses. The first, she calls a swanky speakeasy style bar called Bourbon and Bitters.
“This theater has been the cornerstone of our downtown community. A place where generations have gathered to laugh to cry and to celebrate the magic of live performances,” said Haynes.
It was built between 1920 and 1921. Once known as the finest theater between Memphis and Cape Girardeau, it hosted events, pageants … and was well known in the 1990’s as the “Dollar Theater.”
In 2015 the Broadway was added to the National Register of Historic Landmarks.
But in recent years it looked like the lights of the theater could go dark for good. A fire ravaged the building in 2021 and it was later condemned.
But then, less than a year ago the Cape Girardeau City Council voted 4 to 3 to redevelop the building.
Brennon Todt took on the redevelopment project. He says he is thankful they were able to give the theater yet another encore.
“You all probably well know that downtown Cape Girardeau is experiencing a renaissance,” Todt said.
He says he’s thankful they were able to give the theater yet another encore with the new sign designed to look like the original.
“So this marque sign pay homage to the rich history that is embedded in these walls, but it also symbolizes the profound impact that preserving our heritage has on our community,” said Todt.
City council member Tameka Randle says this is an exciting time for downtown Cape.
“For things such as this to take place, it takes a visionary person. It takes leaders. It takes doers. It takes getting everyone involved,” said Randle.
Haynes says this is just one of many exciting projects coming to downtown Cape in the months to come.
The old Esquire Theater is also in the process of rehabilitation. It will be home to office spaces, hopefully Haynes says, opening this summer.
