WOODRIDGE, Ill. (WLS) — In a bid to secure its future, a beloved cinema in Woodridge is turning to its storied past.

Hollywood Boulevard Cinema recently hosted an auction filled with movie memorabilia, hoping to rejuvenate the theater through this nostalgic venture.

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For a single day, fans and collectors had the opportunity to engage in a live auction, both in-person and online, to acquire pieces of cinematic history from Hollywood Boulevard Cinema. This unique event combined the charm of traditional auctioning with the accessibility of digital participation.

“We have costumes from original films,” remarked Randy Donley, owner of Donley Auctions. “We just sold a fabulous outfit worn by Whitney Houston.”

Over its 40-year tenure, the cinema has amassed numerous iconic artifacts, including the notable Bluesmobile sign that prominently adorns its roof.

According to theater owner Dana Pobanz, the cinema isn’t closing its doors. Rather, it is gearing up for extensive renovations. The proceeds from the auction are intended to accelerate this ambitious transformation.

“All of the money is going right back into the business,” Pobanz said. “We’re doing all of this to be able to renovate the building , upgrade all of the seating technology, our whole lobby. Bring it a lot more to life than current.”

There’s something in the auction for everyone.

“There’s a lot of people that just find this sentimental, because they’ve been coming here so many years and they’ve seen it, they’ve fallen in love, so now here is their chance,” Donley said. “But there’s lots of investors here people that are buying for their own collections, not only here, but also online. So we’ve got one gentleman right now who is bidding from Seoul, South Korea.”

As far as what moviegoers can expect in the near future, the owner says the Hollywood Boulevard Cinema will still keep its charm, while also sporting a new design.

“So we’re just making sure everybody has what they want to see here, so everyone can have some Hollywood magic,” Pobanz said.