Today we’d like to introduce you to Steph Horner.
Hi Steph, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Comet Theater opened in 1939 and has been the longest, continuous operating theater in Minnesota. It started as a theater and has now grown into a coffee shop, boutique and now an ice cream shop, too. It has had many owners over the years and we just become the new owners in May of 2023. Sadly, a flood on June 19th of 2024 devastated our small town and the theater. We have had our doors closed since as we have been working on renovating as everything had to be gutted due to 5+ feet of water that filled the coffee shop, boutique and theater.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While we do not know much of the struggles of the past, we do know that on June 19 2024, a major flood destroyed everything inside the theater/coffee shop/boutique. We have been told that a major flood destroyed nearly everything back in 1969/1970 as well and that the owners then had to rebuild. We have been working on rebuilding since that day and are almost ready to re-open the coffee shop/boutique.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are the oldest, continuous operating movie theater in MN. Prior to the flood, we were showing movies 7 days/nights a week from April-December. We have a full coffee bar, serve ice cream and have a boutique that sells fashion, souvenirs, gourmet food gifts, art and so much more! We try to sell as much handmade, local and US made products as we can! We love women owned companies, companies that give back to nature/wildlife, sustainable companies and eco friendly products. We are known for our specialty coffees and rotate a seasonal coffee menu. We do special events in the theater such as fashion shows, sip & paint events, holiday events, etc. We have a church viewing group that shows the recent sermon from Eaglebrook Church on sundays in the theater, and rent out the space for special events. We hope to resume all of these fun events in the theater by mis-summer, when the theater is done being repaired from the flood.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Our community is everything to us. Everything we do, we do with them in mind. We try to bring events, products, movies, coffees, etc. that are requested or what we feel will do best for our small town.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecomettheater.com/
- Instagram: Comet_theater
- Facebook: Comet Theater
