A TRADITION
IN GRAND FORKS
A TRUE GEM
A CLASSIC THEATRE
WITH A MODERN APPEAL
The GEM Theatre is a classic theatre in Grand Forks British Columbia. The theatre is located at 257 Market Ave. The theatre has 185 seats, a boutique concession stand and a history-themed lobby stocked with retro movie memorabilia and fun pop culture items to see. Join us any night of the week as the GEM screens retro movies, blockbuster hits and the latest new releases.
1913
1950
THE HISTORY
AN ENTERTAINMENT TRADITION IN GRAND FORKS SINCE 1913
Constructed in 1913 after the 1911 fire as the Empress Theatre. It was home to silent films and vaudeville acts until 1931 when the "Talkies" came to town.
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Named the "GEM" in the 1950's, the cinema continued to be the hot spot for the City of Grand Forks and the surrounding area. Peter and Mary Ambrosimoff owned and operated the GEM for almost 30 years, until it was sold in 1988 to Marius and Maureen Paquet who infused a heritage look and feel that is still cherished today.
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The GEM was then sold to the Aquiline Family in 2022.