Koen, Jack and William
From Salem Links and Lore
Jack Koen (1873-1934) opened the Kozy Moving Picture House in Salem, then added another theater, the Comique.
As movies became more popular, his brother William (1879-1928), a former city engineer, became his business partner.
Together, they expanded the Comique, bought another theater and built the Federal Theater on Washington St.
These theaters offered vaudeville shows as well as movies in the days before talkies. Over the next 20 years, the brothers
purchased or built six movie theaters in Salem and elsewhere. They were also active in civic and religious organizations,
organizing fundraisers and charities.
See Also
Legendary Locals p. 100
