State Theatre modernizes without losing historic charm

When it’s all said and done, local boy done good Darin Steffl will have poured $750,000 into the purchase and renovations of Kasson’s State Theatre.

 “I want to do it,” Steffl said of the investment in his hometown community. “Any money customers spend here goes into the theatre. I’m in this to keep it alive.”

Steffl’s main money-making business is Minnesota Wi-Fi, which is located down the street from the State Theatre on Main Street. Those Wi-Fi profits are what allowed him to buy the theatre, renovate it and keep it running for local movie lovers.

The State Theatre building was originally constructed in 1937 and was a movie theatre. Later a few churches operated from the building and in 1998 sisters Heidi Alberts and Nicole Bjerke bought it and restored it to its original condition.

The sisters operated the business as a movie theatre, which is the state it was in when Steffl heard it was for sale. He bought it in 2020, a week before COVID hit.

“I came here as a kid,” he said. “It’s a special place for me.”

When it comes to the money he’s pouring into the business, Steffl has a long list of repairs he has already made or will make in coming months. Those repairs include a new roof, renovated bathrooms, new siding on the theatre’s west wall, new flooring in the entryway and theatre, new theatre drapes, a new screen and projector, a new 9-seat VIP Lounge upstairs, interior painting and new theatre flooring, and, yes, as all movie theatre lovers appreciate: new luxury heated recliners.

The theatre will go from 200 seats to 120 seats once the new recliners are installed. Steffl plans to close the theatre for four weeks in January to do a bunch of repairs, including bringing in the new seats, which he expects to be popular.

His goal is for the theatre to look new, but not to lose any of its historic charm.

“When we’re done it’s going to be historical with touches of modern,” Steffl said. “It’s not going to look like a new building, but everything will be restored.”

He also plans to institute online ticket ordering, where you can select which heated recliner you want to sit in. Those who are old school can still walk in and buy their tickets instead of going through the theatre website, which is kassontheatre.com.

He brings in first-run movies, including blockbuster hits such as Top Gun: Maverick, Batman, Spider-Man and popular kids movies such as Minions: The Rise of the Gru.

“Any of the big names, we get those first,” Steffl said.

The most well-attended movies at his theatre are PG and G movies, he’s found, with scary R-rated movies bringing in far fewer attendees.

“Those don’t do well,” he said. “We’re trying to bring in what people want to watch.”

The theatre is closed from July 10-28 as its entire staff will be on vacation. Steffl is also taking those weeks to do some theatre renovations.

They’ll re-open on July 29 with Elvis and DC League of Super Pets.

Steffl never imagined himself in the theatre business.

“One of my friends said this was for sale,” he said. “I was like, well I shouldn’t do this, but I wanted to and I’m glad I did. It’s been a lot of fun.”

When people come to a movie theatre, they’re generally happy and excited to be there, he said. Kids jump, sing and clap. “I like the energy,” Steffl said.