SCRANTON, Pa. — The Ritz Theater on Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton is revamped and revitalized and will have its grand opening this weekend.
"How do you train people who have driven by this building for the last 30 years? How do you catch their attention and train them to think, 'What's happening at the Ritz this weekend?'" said James Olecki.
One of the ways to do that, co-owners James Olecki and Josh Balz decided, was to make a statement with the new marquee. And that is just the beginning of the changes in the building that has been on Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton for more than 100 years. The entire place has been renovated, and Newswatch 16 got a tour throughout it—from the restaurant up to the concession lounge and, of course, the theater itself.
"We're trying to diversify our shows, have something for everyone. Older generations, younger generations," Olecki said.
Something for all ages, but also all kinds of entertainment. The theater will show both movies and concerts and the rest of the building is now home to local businesses like Noir Dark Spirits, the popular downtown goth-themed restaurant and bar that needed a bigger space.
"People not only wanted it. I think they really needed it. We want to be that multifaceted entertainment stop. From restaurant to bar to tattoo to dollar movies to theater to rock concert, pop concert, country concert. We want to be that one stop shop where you come in this building, you can stay all day," Balz said.
The Ritz Theater, operating under different names over the past century, was built in 1907. There are nods to that history throughout the entire revamped building. One folks seem to be most excited for is the $1 movie night.
On the first Wednesday of every month, admission will be just $1 for a vintage glass bottle of Coke and a nostalgic movie. Next month is "The Goonies," but because of the 4th of July, the Coca-Cola series will be on July 10.
"History is just something that's very important to me and we wanted to keep that and have a nod to the rich history that is Scranton and this theater," Olecki said.
The Grand Opening of the Ritz Theater is this Saturday, June 29. The Open House starts at noon, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony is at 3 p.m.