Just a short month after 30-year owner/operator Frankie Kirk retired and closed the doors to the Radford Theatre with no one to take over operation or purchase the business, it appears the Main Street landmark is about to get a second life.
According to a newly constructed Facebook page, which appeared online May 14, the Radford Theatre has been purchased and will reopen its doors in the near future.
“The Radford Theatre is BACK! Get ready to enjoy a new era of movie magic at your favorite downtown theatre,” the site’s first post, dated May 17, reads.
A 1-minute video posted to the site Tuesday morning, which shows three men sitting in the theatre seats with Kirk while holding tubs of movie popcorn, begins with a shot of the theatre’s marquee, which still reads, “1983-2013: Thanks for 30 wonderful years,” cuts to the theatre’s aging 35mm film projector then sweeps across its empty lobby. A dramatic, empty scene.
A needle skips, and the shot cuts to the group sitting at the front of the theatre. “Hey! Where are you going? ‘Cause we’re not going anywhere,” Paul Pallante, one of the new owners, says.
“Here’s to another 30 wonderful years,” Kirk states, then the four touch popcorn tubs in a toast, then break into laughter.
According to Kirk, who spoke with the News Messenger on Tuesday morning, Radford resident and longtime theatre patron Pallante, as well as James Houston and Blacksburg resident Josh Riggs, purchased the theatre May 13.
“They signed a lease and everything last Monday,” Kirk said. “They’ve already torn it up and started remodeling it.”
The three will reopen under the business name Radford Theatre LLC, and will likely open, Kirk said, in early June. For Kirk, the theatre’s new life lifts a weight off his shoulders.
“They approached me with the idea — I’m glad it’s over with, glad that someone’s taken it over. I don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen to it any more,” Kirk said.
Pallante, Riggs and Houston did not immediately return attempts to reach them Tuesday afternoon.
By Aaron Atkins
