Newspaper Page Text
After fundraising success, Tara Theatre set
to reopen soon
By Collin Kelley
Cinephiles and preservationists
ponied up $50,637.25 as part of an initial
fundraising goal to reopen the historic Tara
Theatre this spring.
In just seven weeks after Plaza Theatre
operator Christopher Escobar announced
the reopening of the Tara, movie fans have
purchased $29,972.25 in advance gift cards
and tickets, plus donations of $20,665.
“We are overwhelmed by, and greatly
appreciative of, the enthusiastic response to
the Tara Theatres return,” said Escobar, who
also founded the nonprofit Friends ofTara.
“We can hardly wait to open the doors and
welcome moviegoers later this spring.”
The initial funds will enable the cinema,
located at 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road,
to install new equipment, fixtures and
furnishings and make other improvements.
The grand reopening date remains to
be announced pending the resolution of
operating permits, Escobar said, but the
cinema could reopen as early as May.
“Energized by Atlanta’s generosity,
and to further enable the re-opening, with
this initial goal of $50,000 achieved, we
established a stretch goal of $75,000 to
make additional specific improvements to
our historic marquee sign,” said Escobar.
“The changes we envision will restore or
celebrate the original Mid-Century look for
the ‘now playing’ and ‘coming attractions’
sign facing the intersection of LaVista Road
at Cheshire Bridge.”
Escobar said the revitalized Tara will
screen classic films, art house releases, and
independent films. This format brings back
some of the traditions established during
the first few decades of operation after
Loews opened Tara Theatre in 1968 or “the
Lefont years” starting in 1980 when George
Lefont owned the cinema.
The Tara’s previous owner, Regal
Cinemas, shocked moviegoers when it
shuttered the venue last November with
only a few days’ notice.
For more information or to buy tickets,
visit TheTaraAtlanta.com.
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