WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The Planters Peanuts building on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre has sat empty for decades. The building closed in 1961 when the company's headquarters moved to another location.
The building was donated to Lisa McGahee and her husband Adam's ministry. Thanks to what they call a long-overdue dream, they plan to bring new life to the vine-covered building.
"We live here in the city and we have our ministry right down the street from here. We would drive by Planter's Peanuts for decades and say, 'Wouldn't it be great to own that building one day and have it be a theatre?' And the dream finally happened," says Lisa McGahee.
Lisa and her husband, Adam, hope to preserve the building's history and architecture while making it a unique theatre. The couple plans to use the building for their faith-based performances, offer children's music classes, and provide a space for those living with autism to perform.
"And we said we need somewhere much bigger. We would go to Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster, and we would get so inspired. We said we need to have a smaller version of that here in Wilkes-Barre for the city of Wilkes-barre," Lisa says.
Lisa and Pastor Adam hope to start renovations on the Planters building as soon as possible, even though they know they have a long journey ahead of them.
"Of course, to make it a showcase of a gem on South Main Street here. However, before any of that takes place we do need to secure the roof and the rear exterior wall for safety purposes," explained Pastor Adam.
Ultimately, they hope the theatre will be a space for all the talent in other faith-based organizations to unite under one roof.
"Put them on a stage here and have people feel something wonderful when they step through those doors," Lisa added.
The McGahees say they can't wait to transform the building on South Main Street into a gem thanks to the support of Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown and the rest of the community.