The Wayne theater had been made as nearly fire proof as possible by the use of concrete through out its construction. The combination of steel and cement had been worked out in harmonious proportions in the Wayne theater where the most modern methods of the time in employing these materials were used. The cement work, from the foundation to the roof, as well as the mason work in the theater was done by Arrowsmith Brothers, Ernie & George, local contractors, whose reputation for this work had been well established in this part of the country. The first cement was poured in August 1926 and from then until July 1927, Arrowsmith Brothers employed a large number of men, necessary to complete their part of the work on schedule time.
A glimpse at the theater today does not give a proper idea of the amount of cement work necessary for a building of this kind and people who see only the tastily decorated walls will scarcely realize that underneath all the beauty lies a mass of concrete and steel that was used to insure the patrons safety at all times. The floors, dressing rooms, stage enclosures, projection room and all other parts where wood was not essential, are of reinforced concrete.
In addition to the theater's spacious stage accommodations provided as well as graceful lines that characterize the entire beauty scheme, the stage was provided with a score of drops and scenery sufficient for vaudeville acts. Modern stage equipment for the time had been installed, with dressing rooms and orchestra room underneath. every seat in the theater had an unobstructed view of the stage.
Accommodations were provided for 850 patrons, although an additional 100 seats could be provided if necessary. The ladies lounge was located on the balcony floor and was reached from the foyer by an ornamental stairway. The smoking room was in the basement; the entrance also being from the foyer. Floors were heavily carpeted and the furnishings were in keeping with the general color scheme. Walls were furnished in antique plaster and delicately tinted. There were wide entrance and exit aisles, handsome stairways to the balcony and magnificent electrical fixtures.
The hotel part of the building had 21 rooms with a handsome lobby. All rooms had running water and quality baths as part of their equipment. There were five store spaces with the first two occupied by local business men, L. A. Tooley Confectionery Shop and Steins Flower Shop. In the basement below the stores was a bowling alley.
Erected by the Wayne Theatre Corporation, composed of people from this vicinity, the entire building was leased in early spring of 1926 to the Woodward Theatre Company, of Detroit. Henry S. Koppin, who operated a string of 26 other theater's in and around the city, was head of the leasing company. In announcing their policy of operating the Wayne Theatre. Mr. Koppin stated that only the best in films will be sent to the local house. On Saturday and Sunday vaudeville was added to the regular bill, the program was continuous from 2 until 11 P.M. on those days.
Walter Dennis Shafer from Indianapolis Indiana, where he had been a public stenographer, joined the Fox organization and learned theater management in New York and New Jersey. He met his wife, Lillian Thiemer, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1921 he became manager of the Fox Theatre on Washington Boulevard, Detroit which was torn down and is where Stouffer's was built. Five years later he helped supervise the building of the present Fox Theatre on Woodward and was put in charge of it after it opened. In 1927 Walter Shafer left Fox and joined the Koppin vaudeville circuit as general manager of the theater's in Detroit, Flint, Dearborn, and Wayne. When the depression hit, he left the vaudeville circuit and took over managing the Wayne Theater in Wayne. The 1932 bank holiday hit him hard, but he hung on to his theater and kept going. By 1939 he was financially able to begin building new theaters, followed later by drive-in's.
The Wayne Theatre Corp. is a all volunteer, non-profit corporation, consisting of local citizens with a goal of providing a place of cultural enrichment not just the Wayne/Westland area, but for all of Western Wayne County.
Help in reaching this goal is greatly needed. Interested party's should call the theater at (734) 728-7469 or write The Wayne Theatre Corp. at 35164 Michigan Ave. Wayne Mi. 48184.