WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- A crane operator carefully lowered the new Kum & Go Theater marquee sign into place on the theater's rooftop today, just in time for tonight's special preview of "Our Town"--the first show to be performed in the Des Moines Social Club's Kum & Go Theater.
The sign stands 16 feet tall and 6.5 feet wide, and weighs in at half a ton. It towers over the theater now that it's attached to an elevator shaft on the roof of the building formerly used for storing and repairing fire trucks. The Kum & Go logo graces the top of the sign, which is illuminated by 148 chasing light bulbs and 286 total bulbs, all energy-saving LEDs.
"Philanthropy has been a cornerstone of Kum & Go since its founding in 1959," said Kum & Go LC president and CEO Kyle Krause. "Supporting local organizations such as the Des Moines Social Club underscores Kum & Go's commitment to the Greater Des Moines area, where a large percentage of our associates and customers live and work."
Kum & Go made a significant donation to help renovate the former Des Moines Firehouse as the new home of the Des Moines Social Club. In addition, Krause and his wife, Sharon, took a leadership role in the project, serving on the Capital Campaign Committee charged with raising $3.5 million for the Des Moines Social Club.
The club's Kum & Go Theater is designed as a black box with no set stage or seating, providing a high degree of flexibility for staging each show. The theater will open to the public tomorrow, with Repertory Theater of Iowa's production of "Our Town."
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go has approximately 425 convenience stores in 11 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming). In addition to a wide selection of merchandise, Kum & Go provides customers a proprietary mix of products under the Hiland brand. Other proprietary product offerings include Java Ridge Premium Coffee, Napa Creek and Sea Ridge wines, Go Fresh Market sandwiches and Nuclear energy drinks.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.