Danville's Royal Theater offers cheap, unique, family-friendly movie viewing experience
The Danville resident and former police chief remembers the day being bitterly cold and snowing, but the memories he retains from that moment in time warm his heart to this day.
That's why in 2017 when the theater came up for sale, Wright purchased the building and theater from a friend and local businessman who trusted him to preserve its nearly 100-year-old history.
'I went home and said, 'Honey, guess what I did,'' Wright remembers telling his wife, Sharon. 'She said, 'You did what?''
For a while, a management company would run the day-to-day operations of the theater, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the Wrights saw an opportunity to close down and renovate.
Though the theater was established in 1914, it found its home at its current location on Danville's town square in 1927.
For nearly a year, the two worked to bring the theater back to its original prestige. By comparing old photos, Wright says they were able to pick out the same paint colors and similar carpet.
Through the renovation process, many old relics were found in the walls and attic. Now some sit on display as you walk in the front doors under the building's marquee lit with red, blue and gold bulbs. Old movie tickets, posters and even an old projector weighing a ton greet visitors.
The theater contains one screen and 220 seats. Ticket prices are $5, and concessions are fairly priced. All in an effort to keep the theater attainable and family-focused.
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