Varsity Theatre to reopen on holiday weekend

Paul and Susan Shareshian bought the theater and have since been remodeling it.

"I started to think that it might be nice to reopen the movie theater, because it's a great part of downtown. Then I started researching and it really has been since 1927, it has always been a theater here,” Paul Shareshian said.

The Shareshians have renovated the lobby and concession area. Instead of playing independent films, the theater will screen mainstream movies, classics and recent releases for $3 a ticket.

"For a family of four, the admission will be $12. The concession prices will be more reasonable here. So I think from that part, we are going to compete much better,” Paul Shareshian said.

Neighboring business owners have expressed excitement over the theater's reopening. Some have even offered to help celebrate this weekend.

Katrina Ryan, owner of Sugarland Bakery, volunteered to bake a Wizard of Oz cake for opening night.

"Cake makes everything an event,” Ryan said.

The theater will be showing the “The Wizard of Oz” this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1, 3:10, 5:20 7:30 p.m.

Ryan said she thinks the theater will help bring more people to downtown area businesses.

"I think that it brings some real life downtown, it brings families downtown, college kids always love a bargain,” she said.

The Shareshians also plan to host birthday parties and private screenings at the theater.