It's show time in N Baltimore

NORTH BALTIMORE, Ohio - Even before the CSX intermodal site opens, the village's downtown is experiencing a rebirth which includes the reopening of its historic Virginia Movie Theater.

Originally built in the early 1900s as a hotel, it was converted into a theater in 1937. Its last closure was in 2008, but now it has a new owner, Jayson Wickard, 25, who worked in the theater as a teen.

Renamed Virginia Motion Pictures, the family-friendly, single-screen theater officially opens Friday at 1 p.m. with "Where the Wild Things Are," repeated again at 4 p.m.

But its grand opening celebration will be all day on Saturday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a concert by One Way Out, a local band. Wickard will speak at 12:15 p.m., followed with a ribbon cutting by Village Administrator Kathy Healy.

Opening weekend offers a double-feature. "Where the Wild Things Are" will be shown at 1 and 4 p.m. "Couples' Retreat" will be at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Coming weeks will offer Disney's animated "A Christmas Carol," "Old Dogs" and "The Princess and the Frog."

Saturday's door prizes include free movie passes and concession coupons, along with free popcorn all day. The theater is serving locally-grown Pelton Farm popcorn.

Other Main Street businesses are also hosting grand opening events or participating in a downtown open house on Saturday, including Haynes Hardware, Kountry Cupboard and Eric Reeza Photography, to name a few. Some stores will have boxes to register for free gifts.

Wickard previously worked at the Virginia from 1997-2005 when it was owned by the Posh family. Later he was a theater general manager in Tiffin, Columbus and Virginia state.

He found his hometown drew him back.

"As I grew up and explored the other options, it wasn't quite as I expected it to be. I missed the hometown feel. My family is here. From working even here at the theater I met a lot of people. Working in Columbus was not personable at all. Here it was nice. You can talk to people, do special requests."

Concession stand prices are lower than megaplexes, offering Nathan's all-beef hot dogs, nachos and theater candy. Persons who wish to jazz up their popcorn will be able to use shakers offering Kernel Season's ranch, white cheddar, caramel or nacho cheddar flavors. Along with water and juice bottles, Coke products are offered, and guests can ask for a dollop of either vanilla or cherry "Flavor Rage."

While Wickard kept the 1930s original brick, tiling and light sconces, renovations have included adding a $5,000 Dolby digital surround sound system; and spacious seating with three feet between rows (it now seats 250 instead of 380) which also allows for wheelchairs. Wickard said the theater can offer DVDs in digital projection plus 35 mm films.

He plans to show old movies from the 1940s-1960s with the digital projector for 50 cents admission. The theater also offers birthday packages, and the theater can be rented for business occasions during non-business hours.

Wickard ordered movie tickets which are replicas of the original ones. Prices are family friendly: $2.50 early bird tickets before noon; $3 matinees; $5 for adults after 6 p.m.; and $3 for children under 12 and seniors; with Tuesday being Family Day and all seats just $3.

"I got tired of seeing megaplex pricing," said Wickard. "Going to the movies should be enjoyable, affordable."

Wickard hopes the community supports the theater and keeps it open. He wants to draw people from town, Findlay, Fostoria, Hoytville, Bairdstown and Bloomdale.

The downtown rebirth pleases Healy who added, "From an economic development standpoint, other retail businesses have contacted the village about retail space. They're thinking this is the place to be next year. Hopefully this will motivate new council members coming on to seriously consider a streetscape plan and other revitalization efforts."

The theater's information number is (419) 257-4800. Its Web site is www.VirginiaMotionPictures.com.

 

(The Sentinel-Tribune newspaper is a FOX Toledo News me