Our Town Shelbyville: Boarman Roxy Theater
Updated: July 2, 2012
SHELBYVILLE -- It's a slice of history, hidden right downtown. The Boarman Roxy Theater is a popular spot, and it took the entire community to bring the old theater back to life.
"It's so easy to get int the car and go places," said Brad Jiter. He's on the Roxy Theater Committee Board. "We want this to be the place that people get in the car and drive to."
The theater is run by the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce. The original theater was built in the 1800's as a playhouse. It transformed into a movie theater in 1935, then shut down 30 years later.
But that closure was something people didn't want to see. In 2003, they rallied. Businesses and families donated time and money to help restore the historic spot.
"We just started getting the calls," said Jiter. "It was crazy."
Within three months the theater was restored and re-opened as a full-time movie theater. Now, it's become a small taste of history that holds a meaning for the town.
"It means so much more than if we built a block structure building and did one there. This meant a lot doing it downtown."
"It's so easy to get int the car and go places," said Brad Jiter. He's on the Roxy Theater Committee Board. "We want this to be the place that people get in the car and drive to."
The theater is run by the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce. The original theater was built in the 1800's as a playhouse. It transformed into a movie theater in 1935, then shut down 30 years later.
But that closure was something people didn't want to see. In 2003, they rallied. Businesses and families donated time and money to help restore the historic spot.
"We just started getting the calls," said Jiter. "It was crazy."
Within three months the theater was restored and re-opened as a full-time movie theater. Now, it's become a small taste of history that holds a meaning for the town.
"It means so much more than if we built a block structure building and did one there. This meant a lot doing it downtown."
