Travis Goedken, Humboldt city administrator, recently revealed that R.L. Fridley Inc., intends to donate the historic theater and hand off the business to a local group.

He said the city has been in talks with Fridley representatives for about two months.

“Ideally it would be a 501(c)3 nonprofit that would look to own and operate it,” Goedken said. “That’s what we are doing is reaching out to members of the community to find those who are passionate about it to champion really this project, both in organizing a nonprofit, as well as those interested in donating financially to the cause.”

He said financing is just one aspect to keeping the theater open.

-Messenger photo Chad Thompson Dawn Blomker, co-manager at Humota Theatre in Humboldt, serves up some soda prior to a showing at the theater Thursday night.

“Financial donations help, but we need to have manpower to formulate a board, and people who are able to get out there to do fundraising, to oversee operations,” Goedken said. “What we need are individuals with time and passion for the move theater.”

He said the city would not take ownership of the theater.

“The council has not talked at all about taking over operations or ownership of the building,” Goedken said. “We are certainly working with Humota and the staff to make sure it continues to operate within the city.”

Humota Theatre, located at 515 Sumner Ave., has been in business since 1928 in downtown Humboldt.

It features a 312-seat, single-screen auditorium.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Humota’s marquee sits above the sidewalk along Sumner Avenue in downtown Humboldt.

According to Goedken, single-screen theaters in general are dying out.

“From information we have gathered about the industry, it’s becoming difficult to operate a single-screen theater,” he said. “Movie licensing — single-screen theatres are hard to operate.”

Goedken said the transition would include donation of the building and a “heavily discounted price” for the equipment inside.

A cost estimate was not immediately available.

“There are some capital improvements that will be required to maintain the building such as replacing the roof and HVAC system that would require a capital campaign to fund those projects,” Goedken said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson The 312-seat Humota Theatre auditorium is shown here.

According to Goedken, Humota Theatre will close if a plan for acquisition is not in place by Sept. 1.

For Humota co-managers, Dawn Blomker and Sarah Van Ord, the theater has been more than just a place of business.

“The people that work here become family and customers who come in become family too,” said Blomker, who has 12 years of experience at Humota. “You’re always happy to see them.”

Some of her favorite memories happened in between shows or while everyone else was watching the movie.

“One of my favorite memories is sitting in between movies and listening to Fred’s stories about World War II,” Blomker said.

Fred Meyer was drafted as a clerk typist and later served as Gen. George S. Patton’s personal secretary, according to Messenger records.

Meyer and his family would later manage Humota Theatre. Fred Meyer was the manager from 1951 to 1993. His son, Jerry Meyer, managed the theater from 1993 to 2014.

Both Blomker and Van Ord, who have worked off and on at Humota through the years, got the chance to meet and work with Fred Meyer and Jerry Meyer.

Van Ord said Humota was always a source of happiness.

“Even if you are dreading going to work, you can’t come in and have a bad day,” she said. “There’s always someone here who makes it a little bit better.”

Neither are ready to see the business close.

“There is so little else to do,” Van Ord said. “I would hate to see this lost for our town. We have had so many memories here. My daughter wants to work here when she gets older.”

Blomker added, “It’s a staple in our community. One of the last true entertainment centers. We are trying to hang onto the past. We’ve already lost so much. People don’t shag the drag anymore. There’s a lot of nostalgia here.”

The city of Humboldt and the Humboldt County Development Association would like to assist any persons or group that wishes to see the continued operation of Humota Theatre.

For more information, contact HCDA Director Alissa O’Connor at 332-2557 or City Administrator Travis Goedken at 332-3435.

A petition to save Humota Theatre has been created online. It can be found by visiting change.org and typing “help save the Humota Theatre” in the search bar.

How Humota got its name

According to Dawn Blomker, co-manager of Humota, a contest was held when the theater was built. The winning entry came from a girl in Dakota City. The name Humota comes from pairing the names of HUMboldt and DakOTA City.

To learn more

The city of Humboldt and the Humboldt County Development Association would like to assist any persons or group that wishes to see the continued operation of Humota Theatre.

For more information, contact HCDA Director Alissa O’Connor at 332-2557 or City Administrator Travis Goedken at 332-3435.

How to help

A petition to save Humota Theatre has been created online. It can be found by visiting change.org and typing “help save the Humota Theatre” in the search bar.