A group dedicated to re-opening a shuttered Celebration movie theater as an entertainment and cultural hub is seeking capital to turn its ideas into reality.
Front Porch Theater, made up of local arts enthusiasts, is working to get a lease for the former AMC movie theater on Front Street and renovate it.
The theater, at 651 Front Street in Celebration, has over 11,000 square feet of space that the group wan ts to use to, as the group’s president and local graphic designer Casey Graebner said, “Bring arts and entertainment back to the Celebration town center.”
The group still plans to show weekend movies in the theater, but also show off it’s multiple uses to host corporate events and meetings, concerts and shows, events like art gatherings, larger birthday parties, speakers, comedians and unique events like a Polynesian dance show.
“This would be something unique to this side of town, and to Osceola County and the greater area as a whole,” Graebner said.
AMC originally opened the theater in 1996, and it was the town of Celebration’s spot for all movies. But it’s lease was tied to opening a bigger complex at Disney Springs, which opened over 10 years ago, around the same time AMC closed the Celebration theater in November 2010.
But that company held a lease with Lexin Realty, the capital group who owns the building. That lease ended on Oct. 31, creating an opportunity for Front Porch Theater.
“We don’t want to see it turn into another office complex,” Graebner said. “We’d love to get a lease with Lexin — I know other groups have tried — but they won’t talk to us without funding, and some of the investors we’ve met with, they won’t commit to us without a lease.”
He said it would take about $2.5 million for the renovations needed to make the space what the group wants, and $8-10 million for a long-term operating budget.
As part of the summary of its 24-page business plan, Front Porch Theater calls the location “ideal and has an iconic presence throughout the downtown area.
“We are in the experience economy in Celebration. We have partnerships with local bands, artists, businesses, and more to deliver a highquality entertainment and an educational venue. With our influence, we will see a revitalization of the Celebration downtown.”
The group already has concept drawings for a re-designed lobby and courtyard, two auditoriums, meeting space, upstairs projection booth, kitchen, offices, and a façade with a refreshed look. It’s revenue would come from corporate meetings, then secondarily from ticket sales, and food/beverage sales, space rental, in screen advertising, and off-site A/V rentals.
“With a need for a high-end meeting space in the area we can provide a benefit to entities who need the space at a reasonable cost. During the weekend, we would provide movies and other events,” the business plan said.
“Many corporate events don’t fit the cookie cutter setups or want a more exclusive place for their executives to meet. The Celebration Theater in downtown Celebration can provide just what the clients are looking for. There are already two boutique hotels, multiple high-end restaurants and prime shopping locations. With high end stadium seating, in-house kitchen, large stage, professional stage lighting, premium audio-visual setup with capability to broadcast to other sites, meeting room, on-site network, fast internet, and professional staff, we have everything a high-end client would need.”
The group has a website (www.frontporchtheaterinc.com) and a strong social media presence such as Facebook (facebook.com/FrontPorchTheaterInc), Instagram (FrontPorch theaterinc) and Twitter (@Fptheaterinc).
