Main Street Theater in Columbiana Sold for $850K

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – Main Street Theater in downtown Columbiana has been sold for the second time in a year, but it will continue to be used as a venue for movies, concerts and drama.

The 400-seat theater at 11 N. Main St., on the town circle, was transferred to Roman Bradford Corp. on March 29, according to the Columbiana County auditor’s website.

The sale price was $850,000.

Roman Bradford Corp.’s address is listed as 400 W. Railroad St., which is the site of the Compco factory and headquarters. Compco is a manufacturer of tank heads and metal parts.

Rick Fryda is the president of Compco, and Greg Smith is the chairman of the board. The Business Journal contacted both men for comment but had not heard back in time for publication.

The recent sale marks the second time the theater has changed hands in approximately one year. The theater last changed hands in January 2022, when John and Beth Kufleitner purchased it for $850,000 from My Theater Co. LLC. Kufleitner is president of Columbiana Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

My Theater Co. was formed by previous owners Don and Dawn Arthurs of Columbiana. The Arthurs purchased the then-closed theater in 2007 and spent about $1 million to renovate it.

When they put it on the market in 2021, the Kufleitners recognized that its future was uncertain and purchased it with the intention of selling it interest-free to the Columbiana Cultural Collective, which was formed to operate the theater.

Lance Willard, city manager of Columbiana, was pleased with the transaction and said the new owners will continue its use as a performing arts venue.

“The city is excited that [the new owners] are willing to take over the theater,” Willard said. “It is such an important part of our downtown. Keeping the theater open and vibrant is important to them and important to the community.  We are appreciative of the Arthurs, Kufleitners and now the Roman Bradford Corp. for keeping the theater alive and well.” 

The theater will continue to be operated by the Columbiana Cultural Collective under the new owners.

Erich Offenburg, executive director of the Collective, did not return calls seeking comment in time for this article.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.