Historic Ritz Theatre Grand Re-Opening Set for Friday Morning

The countdown is on to the grand re-opening of the historic Ritz Theatre.

On Friday, a special ribbon cutting will celebrate the completion of several renovations inside the theatre.

Built in 1939, the 80-year old theatre has been carefully restored to its former glory over the past decade with the help of grants and other monies.

Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton says at 10a on Friday, the last of those renovations will be revealed.

“We’re looking forward to the grand re-opening and ribbon cutting to celebrate the improvements we just finished at the Ritz Theatre,” Hamilton said. “We began this project all the way back in early 2018 after applying for a grant in 2017. We’ve been working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture through their Rural Business Development Program to do some much-needed improvements at the Ritz Theatre.”

According to Hamilton, there were several projects that needed attention, not the least of which was the restoring of the theatre’s balcony.

“Those improvements include balcony upgrades. We restored 90 seats in balcony to their original 1939 look. We restored the hardwood floors in the balcony. We added the carpet we have all throughout the theatre. We put a tile plaza out front, and we renovated the dressing rooms. If you head downstairs the dressing rooms were done in Art Deco. So, we’re really looking forward to showing these improvements off to the community,” Hamilton explained.

Friday’s ribbon cutting will be more than just a quick ceremony.

Hamilton says it will be a chance for the community to come inside and get a tour of the completed renovations.

“It’s going to be about an hour program. We’re going to thank the people involved in helping us renovate the Ritz as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and then we’re going to have a tour. This is an opportunity for anyone in t e community to come and see what’s been done at the theatre,” he said.

And while the renovations on the historic Ritz Theatre are now complete, Hamilton said there is some discussion about adding on to the theatre to create a bigger entertainment venue, but nothing is definite.

Again, the grand re-opening and open house of the Ritz Theatre takes place Friday morning at 10a and the public is invited to attend.