CRETE, Neb. -- The Isis Theatre is one step closer to opening its doors with a new part of its outside decorations.

The theatre, with the help of Nebraska Sign Company, raised up a new marquee outside with the logo in full view for the awaiting public. 

“It’s really exciting. We’ve been working for four years to get to this point and it seemed at times that it was never going to happen,” said Shaylene Smith, Executive Director of Blue River Arts Council. “Now, every time we walk in, there is something new inside done."

The process of building the marquee has been slow, largely because of the pandemic and new ownership. Putting the marquee up is a big step in the right direction to opening its doors.

“You know, it’s been a long process actually. This probably started six years ago with the original owner of the theater so we did some preliminary drawings with them,” said Tony Persons, Nebraska Sign Company. “But when Shay reached out to us, we started a whole different project on this.”

Smith hopes to replicate the history of the building. 

“Getting the Marquee up outside brings back that historical feel and shows the community that we have a theater again,” said Smith.

The town of Crete, which hasn’t had a movie theater in nearly six years, is highly anticipating the opening of this new piece of entertainment. 

“I can’t go anywhere,” said Smith. “Nobody on our board can go anywhere without people asking when it’s really opening so I think the whole community is behind it.”

The building is nearly a hundred years old, so the Nebraska Sign Company had to make something that can last for just as long, maybe even longer. 

“Engineered it to last forever so hopefully, this lasts forever,” said Persons.

Smith hopes the hundred year old building can last a hundred years again, for the younger generation, that hasn’t had a movie theater.

“This building was built in 1926 so now we can make it something for the next hundred years for our kids,” said Smith.

The theater is set to open some time in the summer.