Since that time, it has undergone many a transformation: From a popular movie house, to a vaudeville showcase, to an empty shuttered building, to the jewel in the crown of downtown Plainview. The Plainview City Council saw the possibilities, as well as the feasibility of having a theater in the historic downtown area. In an effort to promote tourism and recapture a bit of historic grandeur reminiscent of downtown’s glory days, the City of Plainview purchased the building in 1994 with hotel / motel taxes. Those tax funds, which are based on taxable revenues of local lodging establishments, are restricted and can only be used for certain tourism and promotional purposes. After the purchase, the building underwent a $200,000 restoration project. Various fundraisers, private donations, and grants helped to pay for stage curtains, lighting systems, sound systems, central heat and air, and other necessities. Though the restoration took about 18 months, the glitter and glow of the theatre’s present persona seems as if it has always been there. The theatre stands three stories tall and sports a split balcony. The main auditorium and lobby were restored to their original grandeur. Ornate carvings and embossed ceiling tins highlight the building’s architectural features, especially around the rare twin balconies. A color scheme incorporating rich wood finishes, shades of antique gold and ivory, as well as carpets and tapestries reminiscent of the 1920s complements the building’s character and ambience. It stands today only because of countless helping hands. Its grand reopening was a celebration of the persistence, hard work, and inventiveness of Plainview citizens and community leaders. The Fair has since re-established itself in the cultural fabric of Plainview. The theater seats 422 on the main floor and another 112 upstairs and offers a venue for plays, musicals, and symphonic performances, as well as a place to hold business meetings and seminars. The emphasis is that the building be used to its potential and to benefit the local community.
