House OKs bill allowing alcohol sales in old theaters

Legislation to allow 13 historic Idaho theaters to sell alcoholic beverages during movies has passed the House.

The 60-7 vote on Thursday sends to the Senate the legislation that applies to theaters built before 1950 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Idaho theaters with the appropriate license can already sell alcoholic beverages during movies but must meet specific requirements in Idaho law involving where the physical sales occur in the theater.

But buildings on the National Register of Historic Places aren’t allowed to make major physical alterations, meaning the 13 historic theaters can’t comply with requirements to sell alcohol during movies.

Backers of the bill say it will help the historic theaters remain financially viable.

You can view a list of theaters that would qualify for the bill below:

*NuArt Theater, Moscow 1935, non-profit *Schubert Theater, Gooding 1920, non-profit, working on renovation Colonial Theater, Idaho Falls 1919, Idaho Falls Art Council non-profit *Panida Theater, Sandpoint 1927, owned by the Panida Theater Committee, non-profit Kenworthy Theater, Moscow 1908/1928, owned by the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center, non-profit Roxy Theater, St. Anthony 1935, privately owned but leased to and run by a non-profit *Wilson Theater, Rupert 1920, owned by the city Virginia Theater, Shelley 1903; sadly, this one is closed, but who knows, a non-profit may form and reopen it.

These are historic, but privately owned, for profit

*Egyptian Theater, Boise 1927, privately owned, for profit Roxy Theater, Cascade 1939, New Roxy LLC for profit Burley Theater, Burley, privately owned, for profit *Blue Fox Theatre, Grangeville 1929, privately owned for profit

*On the National Registry of Historic Buildings