News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Jayne Weinkauf pretends to move in to kiss the wall in one of the changing rooms at the State Theater last week. Performers kissed the wall decades ago, and the lipstick stains remain today. Theater owner Jeff Konczak said he intends to preserve them. There are also decades-old signatures on the wall from people who performed.

ALPENA — At one point or another, most people have likely gone to a movie at the State Theater in Alpena. Many were employed at the theater for their first job, while others have memories of loved ones who performed at the old Maltz Opera House.

The State Theater is closed, but there is plenty of action in it as construction workers are busy prepping the structure for a complete renovation that will return it to its glory days as the opera house.

Alpena’s Jeff Konczak purchased the State Theater, and the former Vaughn’s store across the street and has big plans for them. He also purchased the old Royal Knight Theater just a few blocks away, and intends to show movies in it in the coming months.

The buildings are some of the oldest in downtown Alpena, and as the walls, floors and ceilings are peeled back, remnants of decades long past are poking through, as parts of the original decor are now exposed.

“Unreal, and just beautiful,” Konczak said, describing the structure during a recent tour of both the State Theater and what he is calling The Vaughn. “You don’t see craftsmanship like this anymore and really everything is in good shape.”

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Performers kissed the wall decades ago, and the lipstick stains remain today. Theater owner Jeff Konczak said he intends to preserve them.

Konczak intends to preserve as many of the iconic parts of the theater as possible, and has already decided to keep the State Theater sign, although it will have a new home, possibly across the street.

Another part of the theater that may live on is a wall in the upstairs changing room, where women who performed many years ago kissed the wall after applying their lipstick. The red and pink kisses are easily visible and plans are for the wall, which also includes signatures and dates, to live on.

“That’s history right there,” Konczak said.

The State Theater holds a special place in some people’s hearts. A few former employees of the theater shared their thoughts on it, and the development projects downtown.

They voiced support for all of the projects, but especially for the theater they grew to love.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz There are also decades-old signatures on the wall from people who performed.

Jesse Osmer was hired at the theater when he was 17 years old and in high school. He later became manager and watched the theater change hands several times. He also saw the building begin to fall into disrepair.

“It was heartbreaking. I took a lot of pride in not only the building, but the service we provided,” Osmer said.

When asked about Konczak’s plans to bring the opera house back to life, Osmer said he’s excited the theater will live on, and is anxious to see the final product.

“I have never been attached to a building the way I was to the State, and it meant a lot to me to see someone who referred to restoring the building as a dream to purchase it,” Osmer said. “It struck me as funny that it turned out while I was working there 20 years ago, falling in love with the building and dreaming about what it would be like to restore it, someone else was having that same dream. I’m glad to see it coming true.”

Jayne Weinkauf worked at the theater around 2005. Her husband worked there as well, but not at the same time. Weinkauf said she made a lot of great memories and friends at the State Theater, and is pleased the entertainment venue will live on.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alex Konczak looks at what remains of theater 3 at the State Theater. The movie I Still Believe was one of the final movies shown at the theater before it closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It never reopened. Now the entire theater is undergoing a major renovation project.

“I love it, because it’s old, part of our downtown, and is part of our history and culture,” she said. “I’m so happy someone is going to restore it back to how it originally was.”

Nick Modrzynski worked at the theater with Weinkauf. He said he has fond memories of when he was a projectionist, and then a shift-leader. Modrzynski said he made friendships that will last forever, and fully supports the restoration project. He said during slow times at the theater, he envisioned himself owning and improving the theater.

“I know when I worked there I used to daydream about winning the lottery and restoring it,” Modrzynski said. “To know someone is actually going to do it is incredible. The theater was the place to be back in the day, and I hope it is again.”

Last week, Konczak gave Osmer and Weinkauf a tour of the State Theater and showed them the progress made so far, and explained his plans for the historic building. Both shared memories with him, and thanked him for his investment.

“I’m so happy,” Weinkauf said as she looked at what was a mural that was hidden behind a wall, “I could cry.”

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Jeff Konczak, left, explains to former State Theater employees Jesse Osmer, center, and Jayne Weinkauf some of his project plans. Konczak purchased the old theater and is restoring it back to what it was when it was the Maltz Opera House.

A lot of planning and work on The Vaughn and State Theater remain, so the final products won’t be revealed in the coming weeks or months, Konczak said. He’s still gathering information about the Maltz Opera House so he can recreate it down to the tiniest detail.

Rushing the makeover would mean cutting corners, he said, and that is something he is not interested in doing because he wants the completed project one people will be proud of and utilize.

“We are going to get this right,” Konczak said. “It is not going to happen overnight because there is a lot involved, but we’re going to get it right.”

Konczak already has had The Vaughn emptied out and the environmental procedures done. He said there was very little lead paint and asbestos, so that project could move along more quickly than the theater.

At this point, he isn’t sure what the old store will become, but he added he envisions a place where people can shop, or grab a quick bite to eat and drink, before walking across the street for a show.

Courtesy Photo The Maltz Opera House was the go-to place in Alpena many decades ago. An ongoing construction project is returning the State Theater back back to its glorious roots. Owner Jeff Konczak said he intends to replicate the marquee and as many of the old theater’s features as closely as possible.

“We might not even have a concession stand in the theater,” he said. “The Vaughn might be the perfect place for it, but we’ll see. Nothing is finalized at this point and we’re tossing a lot of ideas around.”

Konczak has a very preliminary rendering of what The Vaughn may look like. It features large windows on both levels, as well as canopies along the sidewalk where diners can enjoy the atmosphere of downtown. As with the theater, Konczak said he intends to preserve as much of the building as possible, including the tin ceiling tiles, wooden staircase, and original brick walls.

Courtesy Photo The Maltz Opera House was the go-to place in Alpena many decades ago. An ongoing construction project is returning the State Theater back back to its glorious roots. Owner Jeff Konczak said he intends to replicate the marquee and as many of the old theater’s features as closely as possible.

News File Photo A concept rendering of the Vaughn is seen in this March 2021 News archive photo.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Decorative remnants at the State Theater are uncovered daily, as the renovation project moves forward. This mounted statue was hidden in the unused balcony.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Decorative remnants at the State Theater are uncovered daily, as the renovation project moves forward. This mounted statue was hidden in the unused balcony.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Jayne Weinkauf, left, and her son Walter Weinkauf get a close up view of a mural that was hidden behind a wall in the State theater. Weinkauf worked at the theater and is excited to see what it looks like when the renovation project on it wraps up.