Grandin Theatre receives $50k for facade upgrade

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Roanoke's historic Grandin Theatre will soon get a new look thanks to a $50,000 grant to restore the facade back to its original glory.

The money comes from Roanoke City's Economic Development Authority (EDA). For 82-years, the Grandin Theatre has been an iconic staple in Roanoke. A piece of movie history that's romantic enough for movie go-er's to want to preserve. That includes Executive Director Ian Fortier who is working to preserve the oldest theatre of it's kind in the Roanoke Valley's past.

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"I get hugged by the ghosts of past and that encourages me to go in the right directions," Fortier said.

Each year, 65,000 people walk through their doors. Hundreds packed the theatre back in 1965 for the premier of the sound of music.

Watch video from the WSLS archives of the showing from 1965.

Crowds like that continue coming back today, both for the movies and for their famous pop-corn.

"We consider the Grandin Theatre to be one of the biggest jewels in the arts and cultural crown in the Roanoke Valley. Our job is to keep it shiny," Fortier said.

Renovations will be based on the original architectural designs.

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"We did manage to track down the original blue prints which were dug out of the crevice of a corner of this incredible facility. This building is so huge would you wouldn't believe how many corners there are," Fortier said.

And all of those corners are lined with the traditional movie theatre décor.  While the new improvements will stick with that original 1932 theme, they will come with modern upgrades that will make the entrance more handicap accessible and more streamline.

You'll even be able to purchase movie tickets online. It's an enhancement that Fortier says this piece of history more than deserves.

"We need to celebrate the fact that it's the last one and we need to do anything we can to endure and ensure it's sustainability in the future."


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