It’s hard enough being female business owners but the hostility we have encountered in this process has been staggering, as is the naked greed and exploitation. We discovered our business is being taken over by reading about it in the Register Guard. Unfortunately, once again the jewel that is the Bijou is in the sights of another “opportunist.” Despite making adjusted regular rent payment while the business was unable to operate, my partner and I have been harassed, intimidated, demeaned and belittled. The Bijou has never been a money-making prospect for us, it was a true passion project and the support I received from the community was an amazing reward. Against all odds, in the face of astonishing greed, and at great personal and financial sacrifice my partner and I with the help of our intrepid and wonderful staff, were able to save the theater. Five years ago, I fought my co-owners to stop the closing of the Bijou and to prevent further mismanagement and exploitation of the theater’s assets. I found that in Eugene and within it, a warm, welcoming and vibrant circle of like-minded folks that appreciated and supported independent film. I left New York to find a small, progressive community that wasn’t ruled by the greed of Wall Street. Instead, the landlord precipitously and likely illegally locked us out of our premises, is trying to take possession of all of our equipment and assets, and appears to be claiming ownership of our name. Despite our efforts to pay a reduce rate to reflect the realities of the pandemic and the inability of the theater to function, the strident position of the landlord made it impossible to reach a reasonable and rational solution to a problem facing businesses all over the state, the country and the world. I am disappointed, saddened and heartbroken that after working so hard to put the theater on strong financial footing, the disruption due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the demands of the building’s owner, leave us no choice other than closing. I feel privileged to have been a steward for this beloved Eugene institution for the past eight years, but the current circumstances make continuing our operations impossible. It is with great sadness that I must announce the closing of the Bijou Art Cinemas. The theater's website and Facebook page are displaying the following announcement: Kudos to the Bijou for supporting Community Arts from others! We surely look forward to other first-run foreign & independent films, + classic cinema.The Bijou Art Cinemas in Eugene, Oregon has closed permanently. The young staff are remarkable – warmly welcoming you, & sincerely wanting you to enjoy the show! When we were there, children’s artwork decorated the lobby walls. Free parking is in an adjacent lot, & just a short walk to the side entrance to the theater. Restrooms are accessed through an outside courtyard, and then down a narrow hallway to interior rooms. The movie prices are very reasonable, & just $7 for students, and $6 for seniors. We were there to see the premier showing of the Eagle Huntress – filmed in Mongolia – an awesome documentary & heartfelt story – beautifully filmed, and a MUST see! In fact, it was so popular, it was held over. Special cup holders by cushioned chairs, make it extra comfortable. Sound is good, and it all feels very special! Just outside the movie room is the snack area – including sale of delicious fresh popcorn with assorted toppings, plus local beers & ciders, and wine by the glass – all which you can take into the theater. ![]() Very enchanting atmosphere! Although seating is not tiered, the seats are staggered, allowing good viewing of the 30-foot-screen. Willcox’s students helped design other features – including the showy copper lamps that still hang from the Italian Gothic beams of the vaulted wood ceiling in the former chapel area which is now the main movie theater with 104 seats. ![]() Willcox (a professor/& Dean of Architecture at the University of Oregon). We were thrilled with the cozy atmosphere of this charming downtown movie venue! It felt very homey inside and the outside was noteworthy – a historic church with tall cathedral glass windows, and notably designed in 1925 by W.R.B.
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