How to save a downtown theater.
Posted by philhardwick on March 22, 2008
I had the opportunity to attend an event at the Elkin Theatre in downtown Aberdeeen, MS last Thursday. The old movie theater was shut down in 1985 and would have deteriorated had it not been for some of the town’s concerned citizens. Fearing for the building’s future, 65 local families decided to purchase the building and maintain it as a theatre. They borrowed the money, each committing to an annual membership fee to pay for it, and then formed the Aberdeen Elkin Theatre, In., a nonprofit organization. They started showing movies on Friday and Saturday evenings, with all work being done by volunteers.
Today, the theatre is an arts center and home to local plays, dance recitals, schools concerts, art shows, musical presentations, talent contests and more. And yes, current movies are still shown. Also, the number of member families has grown to 130.
Good show, Aberdeen!
March 22, 2008 at 3:31 pm
That approach won’t work in downtown Jackson. The only projects we pursue are those that demand heavy doses of taxpayers dollars from our rapidly declining population base. If you can’t find a way to extract another taxpayer subsidy then you won’t get past the talking phase.
March 22, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Thank you for pointing out that the government doesn’t always have to be the bailout.