The ByTowne Cinema is a one-screen repertory movie theatre located in Ottawa, Ontario, The cinema is one of Ottawa's main venues for independent and foreign films. The 650-seat cinema is located on Rideau Street at Nelson, several blocks east of the Rideau Centre. It was closed on December 24, 2020, with a final week of screenings shown on February 26 to March 7, 2021. The cinema reopened under new ownership on September 8, 2021. History The one-screen cinema was built by Hyman Berlin throughout the fall and winter of 1946; it opened on February 10, 1947 as the Nelson Theatre. ByTowne's origins The ByTowne Cinema was not always called as such and was not always located on Rideau St. 1968-1989: The Towne Cinema Located on 5 Beachwood Avenue, in the New Edinburgh district of Ottawa, the theatre was built in 1947 under the name the Linden Theatre. In 1968, the theatre was renamed to the Towne Cinema and was operated by Germain Cadieux (father of actress Anne-Marie Cadieux). Since 1973, it was best known as one of Ottawa's first repertory cinemas, showing cult and classic productions, foreign and independent films. At the time, this unique and distinct format was new to Ontario cinemas. The Towne also became "Ottawa's alternative movie house". After many successful years of operation, the Towne Cinema closed in June 1989 and was renovated into retail space. 1947-1988: The Nelson Theatre Opened in 1947 on Rideau St., the Nelson was one of the city's leading cinemas for decades. Admission was 25 cents for general seating and 35 cents for the upper loge. Two years, Berlin leased the Nelson to the Famous Players chain of cinemas. During the time of Famous Players' lease, they advertised the available air conditioning with a huge banner that was suspended from the marquee. In 1988, Famous Players was no longer interested in running a single-screen cinema. Subsequently, the cinema was periodically closed when the chain moved to multiplexes. The Berlin family sold the cinema to the operators of the Towne Cinema. Name origins Nelson Theatre was the original name at the time of opening. It is a logical name, since it is located on the corner of Rideau St. and Nelson St. However, the name was actually selected by Mrs. J.H. Goyette through a naming contest. This contest received more than 4,000 suggestions and Mrs. J.H Goyette won a $100 cash prize.