How Grand Rapids’ Historic Four Star Theater Is Getting A Second Life

There isn't a shortage of old theaters around Grand Rapids- Wealthy Theater still shows movies and hosts other events, and Eastown Theater was converted to a church many years ago. But one theater that has evaded modernization: the Four Star Theater on Division Ave.

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For years, I've passed this theater on my bus ride, and it would make me sad. The large, red marquee that once advertised movies and concerts is in disrepair, with paint chipping. If you see it today, you'd think nothing has changed; it remains this way to this day.

But don't judge a book by its cover. The Four Star Theater is in the midst of a complete overhaul, as part of a $5 million renovation project. The interior is remarkable and is now hosting movies and concerts once more, and will continue growing soon as more is redone.

History of the Four Star Theater

The Four Star Theater has been home to many chapters since it opened in 1938. The 1,000-seat venue has been a theater, a nightclub, a music hall that hosted music icons like Joan Jett and the Black Hearts, Hall and Oates, and Hank Williams Jr, a youth center, and a church.

READ MORE: The Wild History of Grand Rapids' Shout Nightclub

However, its last chapter was as a church in the early 2000s, before it closed its doors. There it sat until Marcus Ringnalda toured the space in 2016 and envisioned bringing this centerpiece of Burton Heights back to life.

Friends of the Four Star Theater

So, he purchased the building the following year. To say it was in rough shape would be an understatement (you can view a virtual tour of it here). However, Ringnalda saw the potential this space had, with its incredible ceiling and stage. So he founded the Friends of the Four Star Theater. 

Together, the organization has poured over $1 million into restoring the theater. That's just a sliver of the $5 million needed to finish the theater and fully staff it. But already the fruits of their labor are visible. The building has been hosting small events since 2022 and is on its way to being cleared to increase capacity to 500 people.

Its next big collaboration for the Four Star is a partnership with the DAAC, the Division Avenue Arts Collective, which will now call the Four Star Theatre home after being removed from its place in the Creston neighborhood. The all-ages music collective will host artists and concerts in the space, raising awareness and attracting more people to the venue.  Ringnalda calls the collaboration a "no-brainer."

But as Ringnalda highlighted in his 2025 end of year recap, as great as a new roof, a new heating and cooling system, new plaster inside, and a new sound system, the theatre won't feel revived until the marquee outside is new and in pristine condition.

If you want to make a donation or volunteer at the theatre, you can learn how here.