What was once the Downtown Micon Cinema in Eau Claire is poised to take on a new role as the Barstow Theatre, a venue intended to host live performances and visual exhibitions.
The building is at 315 S. Barstow St. City Council packets published online Nov. 5 show the venue's co-owners have requested a Class B fermented malt beverage license and a Class C wine-only license, with the requests scheduled for the council's Tuesday, Nov. 10, legislative session.
The operators have also signed the city's Center for Visual and Performing Arts designation paperwork. Under city guidelines, that designation applies to a space whose main focus is showing or producing theatrical, musical or creative exhibitions.
Owner-operators listed in the council packets are Sarah Kozuch, Kevin Anger, and Max and Derrick Koehler. Derrick Koehler described the project as a new live music venue built to welcome artists and audiences across every genre, and said more announcements are coming.
A premises map in the packet outlines planned interior changes, including front-of-house areas, backstage spaces, dressing rooms and a balcony viewing section. Anticipated capacity in the license applications ranges from 200 to 400 depending on the performance, with operating hours that could run from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on event nights. The property had gone under contract earlier in October, according to Trillium Commercial Realty.
