Fond du Lac's Retlaw Theater Today
(2008)

The former Retlaw Theater in Fond du Lac, Wis., is shown as it looks today (April, 2008). Fusion Mediterranean Bistro by Mark occupies the foyer. The restaurant's Mother's Day brunch was advertised on the marquee in April of 2008. The two doors to the right of the four "Fusion" doors lead to the upper levels of the retail/office portion of the building. The large lobby window was removed and covered as part of a remodeling project done in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

This theater was  designed by Rapp & Rapp of Chicago and construction was completed by the Immel Construction Co. of Fond du Lac in December, 1925. The Retlaw opened to the public Dec. 26, 1925 and closed as a movie house in 1998. The building was sold in 2000 and reopened for a time as the Bravo Performing Arts Center. The property has been sold again and the possibility of a restoration project has been mentioned.

The lobby entrance of the theater (Main St.) is on the far left of this photo of the Retlaw Theater Building. The stage house (Sheboygan St.) is on the far right. The building's commercial and office section can be seen in the center of the scene. This photo was made looking northeast in the intersection of South Main and Sheboygan Streets.

Fusion Mediterranean Bistro by Mark is located in the theater's lobby. A nightclub and floral design studio occupy the ground floor retail space. Second floor office space appears to be vacant. A dance school operates on the third floor.

The main entrance to the upper floors is located under the canopy adjacent to the stage house. The "two-tone" effect in the stage house's brickwork is the result of maintenance done in the late 50s or early 60s.

Upper level detail of the Retlaw Theater facade, Fond du Lac, Wis. Remnants of the upper and lower support beams for the original "Saxe Retlaw" vertical sign can be seen on the left side of the facade.

The lobby's glass window panes were removed and the opening covered during a remodeling project done in the late 1950s or early 1960s.