Description of Historic Place

Spilly's Resto-Bar is located on Hill Street in downtown Edmundston. Built circa 1900, this commercial building with a flat roof has undergone major renovations over the years.

Heritage Value

Spilly’s Resto-Bar is designated a Local Historic Place for having housed a movie theatre during the past century and for its association with the owners at that time.

Spilly’s Resto-Bar is recognized for having housed a movie theatre, the Star Theatre, beginning in 1927. This spacious movie theatre was one of two in the City of Edmundston in the 1920s. Although closed today, the Star Theatre was an important entertainment venue for the residents of Edmundston for more than 40 years, because besides going there to watch films, people could also attend boxing matches, a very popular event at the time. The building was constructed by William Emmerson circa 1900.

Spilly’s Resto-Bar is further recognized for its former owners. John Stevens and Aaron Lawson were both lawyers. Lawson later became Edmundston’s third mayor, and Lawson Street was named in his honour. As for Stevens, besides owning one of the city’s two movie theatres, he was a well-known lawyer in the Edmundston area.

Source: Madawaska Historical Society, site file "Restaurant Spilly’s Resto-Bar"

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe Spilly’s Resto-Bar include:
- rectangular plan commercial building with a flat roof;
- large glass storefront with symmetrical openings on the façade;
- location in downtown Edmundston.