29: Chehalis Garage - 1923, 558 North Market Boulevard

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This two-story Beau Arts building was constructed by George Gabel in 1923 for an auto dealership. Arthur St. John purchased the building and sold used vehicles out of it for his Ford dealership – St. John’s Garage (see number 20). The building was reconstructed and opened as the Pix Theater with seating for 653 people on December 7, 1938 and ran until 1954 when the name was changed to Chehalis Theater. The theater remained open until the mid-1980s before it was converted into a video store called Video Time. In 1994, the theater was purchased by a local businessman who rented the building out for a flea market for a period of time. It was later leased and opened back up as a theater after being restored to its full glory as the Chehalis Theater. Original Art Deco light fixtures were found in the attic, restored, and re-installed in the auditorium. It closed in 1998 and was reopened by the owner to show second run movies, but was soon changed to offer first run movies until its doors closed in December 2008.