Corvallis residents Paul and Lainie Turner have been running their small art house theater, Darkside Cinema on Fourth Street, for over 30 years now. 

Through the years, the Turners have created a space for patrons to not just watch films but also create community in Corvallis. After three decades and years of financial struggle, the Turners are stepping away from ownership. 

In 1992, the Turners saw a need for an art house cinema in Corvallis, leading them to open Avalon Cinema on Second Street. Ten years later, they decided to relocate and expand.

“The Avalon was downtown on Jackson. When I built this theater across from the Whiteside, there was only one name for any theater across from the Whiteside,” said Paul Turner, current Darkside owner, in an email. 

Paul and Lainie Turner turned a wide-open retail space on Fourth Street into a four-screen theater that screened largely independent art films. Thus, the Darkside Cinema was established 20 years ago. 

“We had to decide on our identity,” Turner said. “I built my first theater because there wasn’t an art house theater in this town and I like weird movies.

Upon reflection, Turner said one of the highlights of his time running the cinema in Corvallis was having young people hang around the theater. 

It started with Avalon Cinema first. Turner, who had three young daughters at the time, welcomed young students who just wanted to spend time and even do homework at the theater. 

“These kids would come in and they’d just work themselves into the DNA of the Avalon Cinema,” Turner said. 

Turner also brought up the freedom he and the staff at the Darkside are able to exercise as a local business, the ability to show movies that they like to watch themselves. 

“I like the Marvel films, but I also like the slow Japanese films that don’t seem to have a plot. So, rather than whining about it, I built a theater,” Turner said. 

Turner also wanted to create a theater than play films that highlighted recent social or political issues. 

“We give a voice to media that is not completely corporate-controlled,” Turner said. “We can do a movie about Palestine, or war, or corporate greed, or discrimination, trans rights, minority rights.” 

Turner said films about social issues don’t always bring in lots of profit but added that the Corvallis community appreciates the chance to watch those films. 

On Feb. 9, Turner sent out a newsletter informing fans that he was considering a change in the ownership of Darkside Cinema. In his letter, Turner explained that the financial toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with years of struggling as a local business owner, led to this decision.  

The news that Darkside Cinema may no longer be open after 30 years shocked long-time patrons so much that some Reddit users even took to social media to express their feelings. 

On the Corvallis Reddit forum, Turner encouraged patrons of Darkside Cinema to “ask him anything” about his experience as the owner of the theater. Users congregated to share their memories and love for the theater.

“I grew up going to the Avalon back in the ‘90s. I was one of those high schoolers who was always hanging around the place. Seeing ‘Being John Malkovich’ at the Avalon was a highlight of my life,” one individual on Reddit stated. 

“As a loyal customer with absolutely no business skills, all I can say is thank you for creating and maintaining my favorite space in Corvallis. The Darkside is the first place I take people who are new in town to show them how awesome Corvallis is,” another Reddit user said. 

After Turner sustained an injury, he realized he could no longer manage Darkside Cinema during his recovery. Beginning September 2027, Turner will leave his position as manager and owner of Darkside Cinema, and is currently working to decide a succession route.

“I put out to the world, and said, ‘What am I gonna do? What do you want?’ And the people have spoken. They want us to continue,” Turner said. 

The owners are exploring many viable options in an attempt to keep the Darkside Cinema alive and well in the community. Reddit users shared their own ideas to keep the business alive.

“What are your thoughts about evolving into some kind of community-based partnership model, possibly not-for-profit? I’m thinking a relatively small number of owners who collectively have a financial stake and responsibility to oversee the business. The ‘shares’ could be sold/transferred as needed to ensure long term viability,” one Reddit user stated. 

“I totally believe nonprofit and educational is the way to go! Involving all local schools and universities! Like the WS, Majestic and even Art Center. A center for film, digital and sound production. Why not?” another Reddit user said. 

Regardless of where the theater ends up in the next few years, the people have spoken and the business will likely continue operating within the community as a staple of Corvallis history. 

Turner said that he wants the theater passed onto someone who will continue the business as a community resource.

“I’ve been doing this too long, we’ve had way too much support from the community, so I’m not just gonna sell it to a suitcase of cash,” Turner said. 

Turner suggested that people can support local theaters like Darkside Cinema by attending and contributing financially to small, local businesses and watch movies outside of their living rooms. 

This way it shows distributors there is still a vested interest in going to see a movie outside of the comfort of people’s homes. 

“Spend your money on the community that you want,” Turner said. “Make the little choices that count.”