For Loretta Miles, Salem Cinema is the confluence and culmination of many elements.

It is an ever-evolving dream, a gift to the people of Salem, and perhaps, most importantly, a home-away-from-home for moviegoers.

Miles, who owns the cinema, said that although the theater opened in 1982 as the dream of Judith Schoap from Eugene, it was one that she found herself increasingly involved in.

“I became a regular customer, having recently returned from living in the San Francisco Bay Area for a number of years and developing my own taste for foreign and independent film at an art house theater in Palo Alto,: Miles said. "I was hired by Judith as a projectionist in January of 1984 and was soon promoted to manager of the theater.

“Over the years we discussed Judith’s interest in selling the theater,” Miles said. “I purchased the theater from her on November 1, 1990 and the rest is history.

“I have never considered changing the flavor of our offerings. My heart lies with these films, more intimate and thought-provoking, created from filmmakers' personal passions rather than corporate desire for revenue."

Miles believes that she offers a unique and special experience to the moviegoers of Salem.

“I hope that I offer our community a quality experience of unique film. Every movie I show is hand-selected by me after I have had an opportunity to make an informed decision and feel that it has a deserved place on one of my screens," she said.

The recent move and expansion of the cinema to 1127 Broadway NE is also an element of the dream that was present from the beginning and gained momentum in 2006.

“Judith and I used to talk about how great it would be,” Miles said. “Six years ago, Bryan Johnston came in to Salem Cinema one evening and asked if I had ever thought of expanding my theater."

Bryan introduced me to Dave Glennie of Telos Development and we began to kick ideas around about a project they were hoping to get off the ground. That project never saw the light of day, but the idea stayed with us all."

In December of 2006 Dave Glennie and his wife, Rachel, came in to Salem Cinema to see "The Queen." After the movie, Dave pulled Miles aside and asked if she was still interested in expanding.

Miles said Glennie offered her an opportunity for Salem Cinema to play a role in a development project for the old Eagles Lodge site.

“For years I lived in the Hollywood District and as I would drive to work at Salem Cinema I would look at that very corner and think, what a great location for a movie theater,” she said.

Miles participated in every step of the construction process, hand-selecting every color, texture and wall sconce and hand-drawing all of the designs that would later become etchings and wall murals. She had a vision of the new digs all along.

"My greatest competitor in this day of big screen TV and NetFlix is the comfort of a home. I wanted to create an environment that was so inviting that it inspired people to get off the couch and go out - a place where people would want to join friends and share an evening," she said.

Along the way, Miles hopes the venue reminds viewers of the traditional "incomparably breathtaking" cinema experience - a beautiful story shown on a huge screen in a darkened room with a group of strangers.

"That shared experience, whether it be laughter or tears, is like no other and absolutely cannot be achieved at home,” she said.

She views the cinema as a tribute to Johnston, who passed away unexpectedly several months before the building was complete.

“I know he would have been very proud. I also know none of this would have happened if Dave Glennie hadn't believed in me and Salem Cinema," Miles said.

She said that the new location incorporated ideas and inspiration from those who have and continue to support the cinema.

“I listened to every suggestion and wish they ever presented to me and I lovingly tried to incorporate as much of that into the theater as I possibly could," Miles said. “This is my thank you gift to the people who have supported and inspired me for 26 years as well as a gift to the next generation of film lovers."