Even with all the years of community work and dedication, the
Main Street Moviehouse could close its doors along with the other
Gleason family holdings on Main Street.

That news came Thursday in the form of a letter addressed to
those occupying the theater and other buildings owned by S.M.
Gleason & Co. Inc., including the Hooker-Fulton Building.

The news is devastating – to say the least – to those who worked
so hard to reopen the moviehouse after it had closed its doors in
bankruptcy in July of 2001.

“I think it’s going to mean a lot to downtown Bradford. I am
devastated if we have to close it. It has been good for Bradford
and Main Street,” said Jim Guelfi, chairman of the “Light Up the
Marquee” campaign.

The Light of the Marquee campaign included volunteers who worked
to raise funds and promote the opening of the theater, which
occurred in May of 2003.

“It brought not just people from Bradford into the theater and
restaurants downtown, but those from Salamanca (N.Y.) and Olean,
N.Y.,” added Guelfi.

Guelfi said that on Monday, there were 154 patrons in the
theater for “Notes on a Scandal,” the last of the Monday night
Independent film showings for the season.

He adds that he was one of 17 in a group that went to dinner
following the showing, an example of the revenue generated by the
movie showing.

He said the showing for “The Queen” filled 274 of the 284 seats
available, the largest crowd to date.

“The theater is on its feet and in the black now. It has been
for a couple of months and the Independent Film Series certainly
was a help,” added Guelfi.

“It took such a community effort to get it back open. People
volunteered their time, expertise and money. Several local
businesses donated (workers) and hours and in many cases, parts and
materials,” he said.

He also said the building itself is self-sufficient with its own
electric and heat, but adds that Gleason would still have to keep
up with the taxes and insurance on it.

Before the theater closes its doors, however, another group
vital in its opening will start meeting to come up with a strategy
to keep it open.

Chris Hauser, president of the Downtown Bradford Revitalization
Corp., said they are working to schedule a meeting as soon as next
week to brainstorm ideas.

“During the meeting, perhaps we could come up with some strategy
that can be explored to keep the theater open and help the Gleasons
as well,” said Hauser.

“There is both public and private money in the theater,” added
Hauser. “There’s in excess of half a million dollars.”

During the “Light up the Marquee” campaign, funds from several
groups as well as state funds were garnered for the project.

Some organizations donated sums of $100 or $1,000 to the
cause.

Those people donating $50 or more had their names listed on
plaques placed inside the lobby.

In April 2003, Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, secured $40,000 in
state Community Revitalization Program funds.

Also during the campaign, State Rep. Martin Causer,
R-Turtlepoint, was able to secure funds for the project.

In addition to the possibility of the theater closing, downtown
officials worry that the Hooker-Fulton building itself, as a member
of the historic district would stand empty when it has value.

“It is just a beautiful art deco building, a landmark in our
historic district,” said Main Street Manager Diane DeWalt, who was
also instrumental in getting the theater to reopen. “We don’t want
to see that building close. We want it kept useful and vibrant if
we can and find another party interested in working with us. There
are lots of different opportunities … It has been for sale for
quite some time.”

As for the theater closing, DeWalt said she is sure nobody wants
to see that happen.

“I don’t think anybody wants to see the movie theater close
after so much work and community involvement has gone into its
revitalization,” she said. “I hope we can work something out with
Bob Gleason. It will be a win-win situation so the building can be
utilized and find a way to keep the theater open.”

DeWalt also said she is in the process of talking with a group
called Art Space, a non-profit organization that helps with
solutions for historic buildings.