A Cinematic Celebration of Community: The Reopening of The 400 Theater

For over a century, Sheridan Road was home to a crown jewel of independent cinema. Opening in 1916 as the Regent Theater, The 400, as it was renamed in 1930, was Chicago’s longest operating theater until its closure in 2023. 

After the COVID-19 pandemic, ticketing failed to rise to pre-pandemic levels and resulted in the end of the 400’s inimitable regime. Before reopening, the last traces of the theater’s life were the “Barbenheimer” posters which stood outside. 

The theater reopened for the first time since 2023 on July 31st of this year and plans to show around 40-50 films per month. Recently hired as a manager after being a lifelong supporter, Loreal Evans described the impact the community felt upon its closing. 

“It was such a huge staple in the community that it was heartbreaking,” Evans said. “When it left the community, it felt like a huge piece of our bonding space left.”

According to Evans, the 400 isn’t just somewhere to stop by — it’s somewhere to make new connections, discuss films with other moviegoers and support local businesses. 

“This place makes a third space for this community,” Evans said. “You can eat outside at Rice Thai, you can see a movie, sit on the deck, but you’ll be able to have a place to sit and talk about it.”

After the theater was unable to recover from the pandemic, Evans said the neighborhood lost a significant space for cinematic and social culture.

The 400 has been reopened for over a month, and there’s already been a tangible impact. The theater is a place where every visitor contributes to its well-being simply on the merit of their positivity and humanity. Evans said Rogers Park deeply missed having a theater available to share with the community. 

The 400 is less than a 10 minute walk from Loyola’s Lake Shore campus, opening up opportunities for students to get involved. 

Violet Gilbert, a Loyola graduate and concessionaire at the theater, worked under previous ownership as a student. Working at the theater and being surrounded by the cinephile community grew Gilbert’s obsession with film, and she said she deeply wanted to be involved in the reopening under the new owner, Jordan Stancil.

“When I heard that it was reopening, I immediately found Jordan’s contact information because I would’ve been devastated if this place reopened and I wasn’t here,” Gilbert said. “I didn’t want to miss it.” 

Gilbert’s connection with the theater highlighted the extent of the hold it had on all who previously were involved with its operation. 

The 400 offers a unique selection of films, from new movies to blockbusters and cult classics. They’ve already shown hits like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, “Jurassic Park” and “Twilight”, which have brought “impressive attendance,” according to Gilbert.

The theater places emphasis on films people get excited to see, and it’s evident in the number of community members who show up. The reception has been exceptional and continuous during the reopening, according to Gilbert. 

“Everyone is so happy that we’re back, and they let us know,” Gilbert said. “Some come in to see movies of course, but others will stop by just to say they’re glad we’re open again, which makes it such a nice place to work. For every complaint we have, we’ll get 20 people giving us love.” 

Previous regulars can become reinstated as everyday visitors in the theater full of excitement. The theater’s focus is primarily forward, maximizing the opportunity for what can be shown. In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Stancil joked his favorite movie is “whatever’s playing Friday,” furthering the message of constant progress.

This week, catch international classics like Bu San’s “Goodbye Dragon Inn”, seat yourself for Tom Cruise’s Chicago adventure “Risky Business” or catch up on new releases like Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” and “Practical Magic 2,” starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. 

The 400 Theater has a far-reaching impact beyond the screen. Its unifying force was felt even in its three years of absence, in which the abandoned building sat untouched, never being fully let go. As it stirs back to life, a community comes back with it.

Opinion Editor Carlos Soto-Angulo contributed reporting to this article.