New Owners of Main Street Theater Committed to its Cultural Role
COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The recent sale of Main Street Theater will ensure its continued use as a centerpiece of the community and a home for arts and entertainment.
SP Co., parent company of Compco and Roman Bradford Corp., bought the building from John and Beth Kufleitner, acting as Ronjon Investment V, for $850,000.
The acquisition marks “a significant milestone” in SP Co.’s commitment to enhancing the cultural landscape of Columbiana, the company said in a press release.
SP has formed an entity called Columbiana Community Theater to manage the theater. Columbiana Community Theater is under the corporate umbrella of SP, said Rick Fryda, president of Compco.
For the past few years, the theater has been managed by the Columbiana Cultural Collective, which will continue to play a role in its operation and programming.
“In keeping with the spirit of community, Columbiana Community Theater will partner with the Columbiana Cultural Collective to curate a diverse range of quality events and performances,” the press release states.
The goal of the two entities is “to enrich the theater’s cultural offerings and ensure it continues to be a vibrant hub of creativity and entertainment for all residents and visitors.”
A key component of the sale is preserving the Squeaky Wheel Production Company’s special-needs theater program.
Squeaky Wheel has presented plays and musicals at the theater for several years, using actors with special needs.
“This initiative underscores [the Kufleitners’] dedication to inclusivity in providing accessibility in the arts to those with special needs,” according to the press release. “This program remains an integral part of the theater’s identity, reflecting our collective aspiration to create a space where everyone can enjoy and participate in the transformative power of the arts.”
Details regarding the administrative structure and long-term plans for Main Street Theater are still being finalized.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in making this acquisition a success, especially Ronjon Investment V, the City of Columbiana and the Columbiana Cultural Collective,” the press release states. “Together, we look forward to ushering in a new era of arts and culture in Columbiana, ensuring the Main Street Theater remains a beloved destination for generations to come.”
The 400-seat theater at 11 N. Main St., on the town circle, received a $1 million facelift by previous owners Don and Dawn Arthurs of Columbiana. The Arthurs reopened the theater in 2009.
The Arthurs sold the theater to the Kufleitners in 2022 for $850,000.
The sale of the building to SP Co., which was recorded March 29, was also for $850,000.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
