Englewood Theater

The Englewood Theater and the former

Ben Franklin are being acquired

Friends of Englewood Theater, a newly formed Missouri non-profit, has a signed real estate contact as of Jan. 30, 2024.

News release

Englewood Theater and Ben Franklin to be purchased

The historic Englewood Theater and adjacent Ben Franklin store will be purchased by a newly formed Missouri non-profit.

Friends of Englewood Theater have signed a real estate contract to acquire the two properties from the estate of Wade Williams II, who owned the two properties which anchor the south side of the Englewood business district.

The Englewood business district has seen a resurgence in the past decade through the efforts of local business owners and the opening of the Englewood Arts Center.

A short history of the Englewood Theater

KC Opry - A Short History

Englewood Theater became KC Opry in 1978 and provided a Nashville-style venue for local musicians but also big name musicians filling a date on their tour or early in the career.

One example of the later is Garth Brooks who developed a close relationship with Tuffy and Karen Williams who leased the theater for KC Opry. Brooks mentioned KC Opry in his 1995 Fresh Horses album in the song called “The Old Stuff” about his early days on the road performing.

Tuffy died in February 2022. His wife Karen is active in Friends of Englewood Theater and shared playbills, contract, posters and other memorabilia.

KC Opry closed in February 1993 and reverted back to a movie theater.

The image (right) are signed contracts by Porter Wagoner (for a performance at Mission Hills Country Club) and also Loretta Lynn at the KC Opry.

On the back wall of the theater are signatures of the many musicians who performed at KC Opry.