Bijou holds ribbon cutting for new owners

Bijou holds ribbon cutting for new owners.

Nathan Countryman, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

November 13, 2024

For Kelli Kennon-Lane and John Lane, wanting to be a small business owner led them to owning the Bijou Movie Theater. “We have lived outside Mount Vernon for nine years,” Kelli said. “With Jud in the school systems, we wanted to own a business.” The duo were looking for an opportunity that the community needed, which amounted to not just Mount Vernon, but Bertram, Lisbon, Mechanicsville, Anamosa. “We realized that the Bijou was an important business for all of these communities,” Kelli said. The couple approached previous owners Chris and Kira Moore if they’d be interested in selling, and Kelli said that the time was right. “We started working with Chris and Kira to take ownership a couple months before the business sold,” Kelli said. The couple officially took ownership Oct. 1 of the business. Their first steps were doing some minor renovations to the restroom, as well as replacing lights with more energy efficient lighting. “Our goal is to keep the items that everyone loves about the Bijou – affordability, safe and cozy,” Kelli said. They are keeping some of the former practices of the Bijou, including the popcorn recycling program, where if people bring their own containers, they will get a discount for bringing the containers with them. Kelli said that while they will still bring in a lot of family movies, they are also looking at bringing in independent and classic movies and events to add to the variety of films offered. On Thursday, Nov. 7, they opened the theater to show off the Mount Vernon Volleyball teams championship game for those who were unable to make the trek to Coralville to see the game in person. The Bijou already has seven reservations for parties through the holiday season where the theater will be rented out. The theater will host showtimes most weeks Thursday through Sundays. Wednesday, Nov. 6, was one of their first early out movies, as Lisbon and Springville students had an early out. “We had a decent crowd for the show, but that also included a trio of students having their first individual outing to the movies without their parents,” Kelli said. “That’s what we want is a place that’s safe for everyone to come and enjoy movies.”

For Kelli Kennon-Lane and John Lane, wanting to be a small business owner led them to owning the Bijou Movie Theater.

“We have lived outside Mount Vernon for nine years,” Kelli said. “With Jud in the school systems, we wanted to own a business.”

The duo were looking for an opportunity that the community needed, which amounted to not just Mount Vernon, but Bertram, Lisbon, Mechanicsville, Anamosa.

“We realized that the Bijou was an important business for all of these communities,” Kelli said.

The couple approached previous owners Chris and Kira Moore if they’d be interested in selling, and Kelli said that the time was right.

“We started working with Chris and Kira to take ownership a couple months before the business sold,” Kelli said.

The couple officially took ownership Oct. 1 of the business. Their first steps were doing some minor renovations to the restroom, as well as replacing lights with more energy efficient lighting.

“Our goal is to keep the items that everyone loves about the Bijou – affordability, safe and cozy,” Kelli said. They are keeping some of the former practices of the Bijou, including the popcorn recycling program, where if people bring their own containers, they will get a discount for bringing the containers with them.

Kelli said that while they will still bring in a lot of family movies, they are also looking at bringing in independent and classic movies and events to add to the variety of films offered.

On Thursday, Nov. 7, they opened the theater to show off the Mount Vernon Volleyball teams championship game for those who were unable to make the trek to Coralville to see the game in person.

The Bijou already has seven reservations for parties through the holiday season where the theater will be rented out.

The theater will host showtimes most weeks Thursday through Sundays. Wednesday, Nov. 6, was one of their first early out movies, as Lisbon and Springville students had an early out.

“We had a decent crowd for the show, but that also included a trio of students having their first individual outing to the movies without their parents,” Kelli said. “That’s what we want is a place that’s safe for everyone to come and enjoy movies.”

About the Contributor

Nathan Countryman, Editor

Nathan Countryman is the Editor of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.