Cozy Theatre Celebrating a Century Wadena
The movie theatre first opened in 1914. It remains a popular place for locals and visitors alike to take in a show.
The Cozy Theatre marquee is so iconic that it plays a role greeting visitors entering Wadena. City officials have street level versions of the community focal point at a number of strategic locations, celebrating a classic city centerpiece. The popular 3-screen theater in downtown Wadena has been providing motion picture entertainment since it first opened in 1914. Neon lights from the art deco sign have proclaimed entertainment excellence since a remodel in 1938, when movies provided hope and brightened the dark days of the Great Depression.
Today the Cozy is owned by another generation of Quincer, John’s great-grandson, David. And the Cozy has a sister cinema too, the Comet Theater in Perham managed by David’s son. That makes five generations celebrating a century in Wadena. As David says, “we’ve been here a long time,” just like the Cozy Theatre.
The Cozy shows first run films nightly as well as matinees. It also hosts the Whiskey Creek Film Festival each year in September beginning in 2005. The dates for the 2024 film festival were Sept. 13-19. This event draws in film fans from around the region as well as the Twin Cities and receives support from local businesses. According to owner David Quincer, “a committee goes over the titles available at the time.”
In addition to the classic concessions in the theater – “Let’s all go to the lobby” – food truck chefs serve up locally sourced eats. In a clever and tasty cinematic symbiosis of Wadena entrepreneurship, Oma’s Bakery serves pastry delights and Little Round Still distillery created craft cocktails for the patrons at a pre-festival reception.
Updates and glow-ups have occurred throughout the history of this building as the times and technology changed the entertainment industry. Despite these changes, this is an operation with an authentic feel. It has belonged to the same family since John C. Quincer purchased the movie palace in 1923.
David Quincer, (218) 631-1201 or [email protected]
