Wayside Theatre - Ypsilanti MI 

Address: 3020 Washtenaw Rd
City: Ypsilanti
State: MI
Zip: 48197
County: Washtenaw
Open: 1968
Capacity: 1000
Owner History: Butterfield Theatres
Theater Type: Shopping Center - Early Multiplex
Number of visits to this page: 11066
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

Source: Cinema Treasures

Opened for the Butterfield Theatres chain in 1968, the Wayside was designed by Louis Wiltse and could seat just over 1000. The Wayside's most famous feature was its enormous screen, measuring 56' by 24', at the time the largest indoor screen in the US. The lobby was designed to resemble a comfortable (albeit with late 60s style decor) living room, with sofas, end tables, lamps and artwork.

In 1984, the auditorium was twinned, after Butterfield sold the Wayside to Illinois-based Kerasotes Theatres. In the five years that Kerasotes ran the Wayside, it was notorious for being poorly run. Kerasotes closed the theater in 1989. A year later, plans were announced to convert the twin into a brew-n-view style venue, called the Wayside Cinema & Drafthouse, but this fell through. In late 1991, the theater was gutted and reopened as the Wayside Whirly Ball amusement center. Since the mid 90s, the building has housed a supermarket.

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Info Updates:
8/17/2005 - Don Burhans
As of about a week or so, the Farmer Jacks Supermarket that replaced the Wayside Theatre has closed due to money problems. Alot of Farmer jack Stores have closed in Detroit and local suburbs because of money problems.
5/5/2004 - John Green
Actually, the supermarket (Farmer Jack) is not housed in the building. The building was demolished and Farmer Jack built on the property.
 Photos:6
Wayside Theatre - Old Photo From Ann Arbor News
Old Photo From Ann Arbor News
Wayside Theatre - Old Photo
Old Photo
Wayside Theatre - Old Photo From Ann Arbor News
Old Photo From Ann Arbor News
Wayside Theatre - Now
Now
Wayside Theatre - From Street
From Street
Wayside Theatre - June 12 1968
June 12 1968
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