Rex Theater for sale

Rex theater owner Carol Messenbrink is selling the historical movie theater, but says the show must go on.

The asking price is $295,000 for the 4400 sqaure-foot partially renovated downtown building, which also has two  offices, surround sound and projection equipment.

Messenbrink is not going to close while the 384-seat theater while its on the market and will keep business as usual.

“Hopefully the people who buy it will keep it as a theater,” she said.

Messenbrink put the 86-year-old building on the market two weeks ago.  She said she is looking forward to retirement, and that the theater is a lot of work for one person to do alone and should have younger people running it.

“It is funny, I go to these class reunions, and when I ask my classmates what they are doing now they say, ‘I am retired.’  I want to be able to do that,” Messenbrink said. 

Mesenbrink, who has been running the theater for the past 9 years, wants to travel and spend more time in Arizona over the long North Idaho winters.

The theater , includes balcony seating unique to modern times.

The Rex Theater is open for show time 7:30 p.m. Friday through Monday.