Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407280037
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Elizabeth Obenshain
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
For Pulaski, it was the historic courthouse.
For Blacksburg, that building is the Lyric Theatre. For months, I've been hearing excited whispers about a fledgling effort to revive the town's movie theater. Then came the announcement of the "Bring Back the Lyric" Committee.
Who doesn't have a nostalgic streak for the Lyric, its classic movies, the little soda shop next door?
Of course, my nostalgic moments were probably my brother's worst nightmares: What greater teen-age suffering can be imagined than taking your favorite cheerleader to "Gone With the Wind" only to learn that, yes, you DO have to take your sister and her chubby, red-haired friend along, too.
At a time when Blacksburg is losing much of its commercial energy to the new malls, the effort to revive the Lyric offers exciting possibilities for the town and a distinct choice for those of us with dollars to spend in the area.
The effort to restore the Lyric will be nothing compared to the challenge of finding the management and the right combination of movies, entertainment and concerts to keep the theater financially strong. Patrons long used to heading to the mall or out of town for their movies will have to be convinced to change their habits and head downtown for the evening.
But that challenge is also a window of opportunity for other local business owners.
Blacksburg is never again going to be a major retailing center - like the malls. But it could develop a niche for entertainment and compatible shops that could make downtown Blacksburg a unique and delightful place to go.
In other college towns, revived movie houses have thrived on a combination of "almost new" releases and art films, concerts and similar offerings. Appealing to the same audience, a sophisticated book store that combines a wide selection of books and magazines with a relaxing atmosphere can offer late hours and even live jazz to draw a steady stream of patrons. Small cafes, like the town's already spreading coffee and tea spots, can add a place to linger. Combine with this the downtown's already interesting variety of restaurants - and you have the essentials for an evening out.
But success won't happen automatically.
Downtown businesses have to offer the right menu (or the right product) and consistently excellent service to build a regular and growing clientele from today's increasingly picky consumers.
It's also a challenge to those of us who live and have dollars to spend in the area. We can consciously choose to patronize local businesses that take the risk of opening downtown. We can choose to give our dollars to local business owners who in turn support community efforts in a way that no national retailer or franchise eatery will do.
Town Manager Ron Secrist recently told a local civic club that communities have to grow their own downtown businesses. Local residents then have to patronize and "protect" these places. "You control the destiny of your community."
Downtowns will never replace malls. But they can provide an alternative - a pleasing and relaxing place to shop that delights both business owners and customers.
Surely, if there are as many effete snobs in Blacksburg as the rest of Montgomery County seems to think, this town can support a revived movie house.
Seriously, though, a thriving downtown, whether it is Blacksburg, Pulaski or Narrows, will offer another choice that can only add to the quality of life for everyone who lives in the New River Valley.
Anyone interested in being part of the effort to revive the Lyric can write to: Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg, P.O. Box 233, Blacksburg, Va. 24063.
Elizabeth Obenshain is the Roanoke Times & World-News' New River editor.
by CNB