Franklin Theatre
After two and a half years of fundraising, planning and public anticipation, the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County is rebuilding the historic Franklin Theatre on Main Street in downtown Franklin.
The public is invited to experience the official lighting of the Franklin Theatre marquee on Jan. 29, 2011. For the first time in more than 40 years, the marquee will light up the night on Frankin’s historic Main Street in a ceremony that begins with champagne toasts in the shops nearby from 4 to 5 p.m. and a ceremony in front of the Franklin Theatre at 419 Main Street at 5 p.m. The marquee is underwritten by the Next Generation of the Heritage Foundation, which is comprised of members ages 21-40. For more information on the theater’s progress, visit the Franklin Theatre Facebook page.
“So many people made this project possible,” said David Garrett, president of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, which owns the Franklin Theatre. “This is a big moment for Franklin, and we are extremely proud of and humbled by the opportunity to restore and expand this fixture on Main Street.”
Built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre has a storied history, but had fallen into disrepair and ceased operations in 2007. The Heritage Foundation, with the support of hundreds of donors, was able to purchase the theater in late 2007 and has been planning its restoration and expansion ever since.
The dream to save the theater started with a $1.75 million loan to purchase the buildings from longtime Heritage Foundation board member and volunteer Emily Magid. Lead donors include Cal Turner, who kick-started the renovation project with the first major challenge grant of $1 million; the Martin Foundation – Charlie and Shannon Martin offered a matching challenge grant of $1.5 million; and Magid forgave the loan to meet Turner’s challenge. Other large gifts followed and there was an enormously successful campaign to sell more than 200 seats in the future theater for $2,500 each. Hundreds of others chipped in with gifts ranging from thousands to $5 and $10 cash donations placed in boxes at festivals and through a number of benefits. Countless organizations jumped in to support the effort.
Hasting Architecture was selected for the design work, with the goal to seek inspiration from the theater’s Depression-era Art Deco design and make it a state-of-the-art, multi-use entertainment venue for live performances, movies and events. Batten & Shaw will serve as the general contractor, and First Farmers & Merchants Bank is handling the financing to fund the gap before pledges are fully collected.
The theater will be a LEED-certified project, meaning it will meet national standards for green buildings, and will be the first LEED-certified restoration in Franklin. The size of the two buildings comprising the Franklin Theatre will be increased by 50 percent, and will include a catering kitchen, green room, storage and backstage space. The theater’s sprinkler system includes the neighboring building, ensuring that one more historic building will have added protection from fire.
The restoration will include the replacement of the neon marquee that graced the front of the building from 1937 until the early 1970s. See below how we envision our Franklin Theatre when it reopens in Spring 2011….
More details…
- Main Street will close at 4 p.m. this Saturday from Fourth Avenue to Five Points. Starting at 4 p.m., many of the businesses in the block with the Franklin Theatre at 419 Main Street are participating in the celebration.
- Among the shops in the 400 block that are serving a champagne toast inside the stores from 4 to 5 p.m. are: Avec Moi, Bathos, Bob Parks Realty, Bink’s Outfitters, Dion’s Salon, The Heirloom Shop, Serendipity Skincare, Shoppes on Main, Vue Optique, Walton’s Estate Jewelry, Whats-In-Store and Yarrow Acres.
- Participants will be asked to enjoy their champagne toasts inside the stores and not on the street to comply with the law. Children are invited to enjoy the celebration with special refreshments for them at Main Street Toys.
- During this hour, Ben & Jerry’s will also be giving away free ice cream and hot chocolate on the street, and there will be free popcorn!
- Downtown restaurants and bars are also celebrating the return of the marquee on Main with drink and dinner specials this Saturday:
- McCreary’s Irish Pub from 3 to 6 p.m. will have 2-for-1 draught beer and $2 off house wine.
- 55 South and the Red Pony have created a Marquee Martini (mandarin vodka, St. Germaine liqueur, Chambourd and a splash of champagne) for $9.50 with some proceeds Friday and Saturday going to the theater.
- Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant: Buy one cocktail, get one at a 1937 price. This includes the Marquee Martini, the Main Street Manhattan, Old Fashioneds, and Champagne Cocktails. Puckett’s also has a dinner special for the occasion.
- Mellow Mushroom will have red hot Fireball cinnamon shots from 4 to 6 p.m. for $3.
