Well, that was quick. About a month after putting it on the market, Seth Sonstein has sold the Clinton Street Theater. “For the last eight-and-a-half years I have had the opportunity to run the coolest movie theater, in the coolest neighborhood, in the coolest city in America,” Sonstein said in an email he sent out to press this morning. “My eternal gratitude goes out to the citizens of Portland. I can never say thank you enough times for all of the support you have given to the Clinton.”

The new owners are Portlanders: Roger and Lani Jo Leigh. Annnnd… aside from that, there’s not much more info at this point. I had a quick email correspondence with Lani Jo this afternoon, in which she noted that while the paperwork was just signed this morning, she’s already excited. “Although my husband and I are partners for life, the Clinton is my baby,” she says. “I’ve got more hopes and dreams than concrete plans (since the first requires only my imagination), but I’m finding a theater just begs for me to play Tom Sawyer, and lots of friends are signing up for work parties.”

I’ll be talking more with the Leighs soon to get details about what will stay the same and what will change about the Clinton. Stay tuned.

With honor and distinction, Erik Henriksen served as the executive editor of the Portland Mercury from 2004 to 2020. He can now be found at henriksenactual.com.

3 replies on “Clinton Street Theater: SOLD”

  1. “For the last eight-and-a-half years I have had the opportunity to run the coolest movie theater, in the coolest neighborhood, in the coolest city in America”

    THIS IS VAGUELY TRUE, AS THEY REFUSED TO HEAT THE THEATER IN THE WINTER.

  3. The 10th Anniversary Filmed by Bike is April 13-18 at the Clinton St. Come watch bike movies from all over the world. 75 movies, 13 showtimes, 6 different programs, 5 days.

    The New Belgium Opening Night Street Party takes over the street with a beer garden, DJ beyonda, breakdancers, Karl and the Jerks and much more Friday, April 13. The street party is FREE.

    We have yet to meet the new owners, but we’ve heard they are very excited about Filmed by Bike.

    http://FilmedByBike.org

    Ayleen
    Festival Director

Comments are closed.