You would think that King Street's energy would make any movie theater thrive, but the century-old Old Town Theater has only experienced financial struggles. In the 101 years that the building has been in Alexandria, it has served as a dance hall, a movie theater, and a vaudeville venue. PMA Properties bought the building in 2011, but after three years, the company shut it down, writing in a staff report that "operation is nearly impossible". On Tuesday, the Alexandria Planning Commission unanimously voted to renovate the building. Plans include extending the mezzanine level for a full second floor and flattening the first floor by removing the auditorium seats and the stage. PMA hopes to lease the first floor of the building and make a partnership or property sale that would allow the building to be converted for retail or restaurant use. According to Washington Business Journal, one idea for the theater is to have it be converted into a museum.
· Old Town Theater will be renovated, converted to retail [Washington Business Journal]
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