March 2010 Matanky Realty Group Press Release on the Hiring of 'Kenny Yochelson'

Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– eNews Park Forest just discovered a March 9, 2010 press release on Matanky.com, the Web site of Matanky Realty Group, announcing the "new owner" of the Holiday Star Theater. The release further states, "He said he literally grew up in movie theaters and has worked in the industry for many years."

The complete release follows:

An aging movie theater in downtown Park Forest is getting ready for its close-up with the help of a new owner. The former Eagle Theater, 340 Main St., has been renamed Holiday Star Theater and is getting a makeover. It first opened in 1950 as Holiday Theater. "The last few years, it’s fallen into somewhat disrepair as the economy has taken a downturn," said Kenny Yochelson, who took over as owner last month. "We have completely revamped everything anybody had a concern about." Yochelson said some of those concerns from moviegoers included the heating and air conditioning system, plumbing, sound and overall cleanliness of the building. He’s spent about $100,000 on renovations so far, and more work will be done over time. The theater is open while work is ongoing. That is good news for Kris Wakeford, a lifelong Park Forest resident, who said it’s time the rundown theater got some attention. "It needs it. It started out as a nice theater and then went downhill," said Wakeford, 52. Yochelson said he has big plans for the five-screen theater, including showing movies outdoors and starting a cereal club on Saturday mornings during the summer where pajama-clad children can watch old-time cartoons and enjoy a bowl of cereal. A "Zombie Fest" also is being planned for later this year in which people can take part in a 72-hour movie marathon and try to set a world record. Not-for-profit community groups will have the opportunity to run the theater’s concession stand to earn money for their organizations, he said. "Exciting stuff is going to be happening," Yochelson said. He said he literally grew up in movie theaters and has worked in the industry for many years. He’s planning to buy other small Chicago-area theaters. "Movie theaters used to be part of the community," Yochelson said. "I want to make this a community center." Wakeford said he is willing to give the theater another shot. "I will go back and check it out," Wakeford said. "If they put a little work into it, it would be a nice little place to go and watch a movie."