The Empire Theater, a vital part of Baker City's entertainment landscape, operated alongside the Clarick/Eltrym and Orpheum theaters, contributing to a vibrant local cinema scene. Initially, the Empire was under the ownership and management of Baker Theatres, Co., a local entity operated by Myrtle Geddes, her husband Frank, and their son Freeman Geddes. This company also oversaw the Clarick and Orpheum theaters, indicating a period of local control within Baker City's theater industry. The Empire's operation continued until the mid-1950s, a time when the rise of television began to challenge the viability of many movie theaters.
As entertainment trends shifted, and with the opening of the Eltrym Theater creating increased competition, the Empire Theater eventually closed its doors. The property was later sold to Western Amusements, under the direction of Ted Jones of Portland, marking a transition from local to regional management. After its closure as a cinema, the building was repurposed for commercial use, notably serving as the "Baker County Citizens" campaign headquarters in 1954. The building that once housed the Empire Theater is now adjacent to what is presently the US Bank parking lot, leaving its legacy as a piece of Baker City's rich entertainment history.