Owner of Abby Theatre Speaks
Monday, March 12th, 2012 -- 9:04 AM
-"The theater was my life, I love the theater very much," said Allen Leu, Abby Theater owner.According to WEAU, 60 year old Allen Leu has loved the Abby Theater ever since he started working there part-time in 1982. His passion then grew and convinced him to buy it with his wife at the time, Sherrie, in 1996.
It was his lifelong dream to own a movie theater and he bought the Abby Theater because of his passion for movies." But it was on March 4th he received a phone call from Sherrie that their theater was on fire. "My reaction was oh my god I have to get up to the theater" said Allen. Firefighters risked their lives trying to fight the blaze, causing one firefighter to lose his life.
?Absolutely devastated for the family, just devastated, my heart goes out to the family,? said Allen. Allen attended the funeral for Jamison Kampmeyer, the firefighter who passed away. "I broke down just like anybody else would. Very very tragic situation," said Allen. The Abby Theater has been an icon in town for several years causing many to feel pain now that it's gone.
"Sad, I think everybody feels sad" said Patricia Huntman. "It's one of those quiet jewels that you don't find in many small towns anymore, it's special" said Dennis Kramer.
"As far as the movie theatre, I do not know if we're going to rebuild or do anything with the property." Although Allen says there is nothing better than seeing a movie on the big screen, he wants to move forward and put the tragedy behind him.
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